This month seven Powys groups are celebrating receiving a share of almost £80,000 thanks to National Lottery players.

From a community playground to arts and crafts programmes, these projects all share the common aim of bringing communities together.

Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) has been awarded a grant of just over £20,000.

A development grant for Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) in partnership with Powys County Council, Powys CAB, Shelter Cymru and Llamau to deliver person-centred support, at the earliest opportunity to prevent homelessness across Powys, making it rare, brief, and non-recurrent.

The project will consolidate existing learning and focus on delivering community-based activity, where people can access information and support. Service users will have an equal voice in the design of the project, to enable a coordinated approach to service delivery.

£20,598 will fund development with a Project Manager, focus groups, travel, equipment and running costs.

The Knighton and District Community Centre received a £10,000 grant to provide a home food delivery service for vulnerable residents and a community drop in to provide food, support and signposting to those in need.

Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau received a £10,000 grant to provide volunteering opportunities for young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. This includes organising activities that help older people reduce isolation or delivering essential items for people who are less mobile.

Ysgol Meifod in Powys received £10,000 to create an inclusive play area for children living in a rural community, allowing them to meet, socialise, and support their well-being. The grant will fund trim trail equipment and will be an important community amenity and accessible all year round.

Their plans will help reduce the feeling of isolation and improve both mental and physical health.

Jacqueline Bullen, school governor at Ysgol Meifod said: “We are so grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund, the site at Ysgol Meifod is at the heart of our community. The new equipment brings new opportunities for families to

come together, develop friendships and a much-needed place for our community to grow.”

Another group celebrating receiving funding is The Big Skill CIC who received a £10,000 grant to hold four, five-week long craft and recycling workshops which will also include long term work placements.

This will boost the well-being of the beneficiaries, promote positive interaction, and increase environmental understanding whilst helping people gain vital new skills.

Trevor Stringer, chair of the Big Skill CIC, said: “We are delighted to announce, thanks to National Lottery funding, the launch of our Crafts, Chat & Reciprocity project.

“Thanks to the National Lottery players the project will be at five different centres offering five accredited Agored Cymru courses from willow workshops at the Muse Brecon to the craft of traditional line & wash at Aberdare.

“We are looking for participants who can benefit from the skills enhancement at a friendly craft & chat as well as centres and local organisations/businesses able to offer taster placements.”

Montgomeryshire Youth Theatre received a £8,410 grant to work with a host of local groups including Action for Children Welshpool, Guilsfield Young Farmers, Guilsfield Amateur Dramatic Society and more to create and perform a Christmas pantomime for their community.

Stiwdio Dyfi CIC received a £9,959 grant to create a digital skills training facility for young people and the wider community to create news, information, and entertainment programming.

John Rose, Director Wales at The National Lottery Community Fund congratulated the projects, and said:

“It’s great to see how much can be achieved with a grant of £10,000. Our grants are made possible thanks to National Lottery players who raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

“All of the seven groups are delivering projects that enhance people’s lives by offering positive experiences and resources to help them thrive.”

These projects are just some of 81 community projects awarded across Wales in the past month totalling £4,221,789 of funding raised by National Lottery players.