Two Monmouthshire charities benefit from Lottery Fund

Chepstow Mencap are celebrating today with half a million pounds, the largest grant currently available through the Big Lottery Fund.

Monmouthshire based charity Ready Steady Go in Caldicot are also celebrating the success of their application for a more modest grant of £8,149. 

Chepstow Mencap run day services and family support for adults with learning disabilities in Chepstow and surrounding areas, were delighted with the news.

The successful bid is for the funds to restore and refurbish The Old Board School building in Chepstow, a lovely but neglected old Victorian schoolhouse opposite the historic Chepstow Castle. The money will be used to create a new, modern base for Chepstow Mencap, to become an active centre offering workshops and exhibitions, Business Breakfast Meetings, Craft Markets and a pop-up café. The project are planning to re-name the Old Board School Hub Calon Ddraig (translated as heart of the dragon) to echo their Welsh heritage and their aim to be a vibrant Centre at the heart of the community.

The facility will have a fully disability-accessible building on one floor, activity rooms, a training kitchen and a personal care facility (part of the UK 'Changing Places' scheme). The space will be available to the public and visitors to the town and castle and there will be a venue space that can be hired out. 

Sue Nicholson, the Chair of Trustees at Chepstow Mencap said: "Achieving a successful bid has given Chepstow Mencap an opportunity to achieve our dream of providing the best support for those that use our services and their families. This would never have been realised without the National Lottery understanding and supporting our vision. We look forward to the wider community being able to access and share our wonderful new building and all its facilities'. 

Speaking on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund, Derek Preston-Hughes Funding Manager added: "We are looking forward to visiting the busy, vibrant Centre up and running in the heart of Chepstow, when Mencap have finished their restorations. The fully accessible centre will mean the whole community can benefit from using it." 

Meanwhile Ready Steady Go are planning to support young children with autism to address their issues such as anxiety, isolation and exclusion, by providing a weekly after school and holiday club. £8,149 will hire a venue, support staff costs, mileage allowance, and insurance. 

The two Monmouthshire based projects join the 90 communities across Wales celebrating as the Big Lottery Fund awarded £6,492,691.00 of funding in September.