This festive season five groups in Powys are celebrating their successful applications for a grant from The National Lottery including Mid Wales’ oldest theatre.

The Albert Hall, based in Llandrindod Wells, will provide an accessible cinema experience for vulnerable people in the community. The grant of £30,820 over three years will provide a projector, screen, and sound system together with and an annual film licence.

Jon Williams, Chairman of The Albert Hall, welcomed the grant, and said:

“The committee are extremely pleased to have been chosen as a recipient of a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. We are excited to be able to get the project started, thanks to these funds. Moving forward, this has the potential to touch and change so many people whose lives are affected by dementia, autism, or other disabilities, and low income.

“It will also give the chance for members of the local community to engage with others, and become part of a team. We hope to help boost their confidence, learn new skills, and reduce social isolation.”

Rhosgoch Golf and Leisure Club will use £39,110 to refurbish and upgrade their kitchen facilities improving the facility for the community to use.

Tim Francis welcomed the grant on behalf of the Club, and said:

“Everybody at Rhosgoch Golf and Leisure Club and our surrounding community are so excited to have been given this grant by The National Lottery Community Fund. The provision of a sparkling, new kitchen will mean so much to all of us but especially to Betty our long serving and priceless cook who with her hardworking team of helpers has provided the whole community with wonderful, proper home-cooked food for more years than she will let us say!

“This will not only make her life easier and help her maintain her impeccable hygiene standards; it will also encourage her to stay with us for many more years to come. Thank you, National Lottery.”

Three other Powys groups are celebrating this festive season:

• Cultivate (Cwm Harry) Cyfyngedig, based in Newtown, will use £100,000 over two years to redistribute food surplus, from local supermarkets to the community. The project will reduce food waste and enable people to access ready meals and food boxes.

• Cycle Dyfi in Powys will use £9,800 to run bike maintenance skills workshops and electric bike conversion workshops to support people to cycle more in their area.

• Dolau Parent and Toddler Group in Powys will use £10,000 to purchase toys and play equipment for their community hall and create a library for families to borrow toys

John Rose, Director Wales at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

“These projects are a clear example of our belief that communities thrive when people are in the lead. More than £30 million a week is raised for good causes across the UK thanks to National Lottery players. We’re delighted to fund their amazing work and we know they make a vital difference to the lives of people in their communities.”

These projects are a few of 60 organisations across Wales to receive a total of £3.7 million in the past month.