Latest news with #AwardsforAll
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Live music sessions for people with dementia in Pontypool
Music in Hospitals & Care has announced a partnership with Age Connects Torfaen, which will see regular live music sessions take place at the Age Connects day centre in Pontypool. The initiative, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund's 'Awards for All' programme, aims to improve the emotional wellbeing of people with dementia. The sessions, which are tailored for people aged 50 and over, will take place twice a month for the next two years. Emma Wooten, development manager at Age Connects Torfaen, said: "The idea is to explore whether live music resonates with our service users. "Some of them are nonverbal, but as soon as the music starts, their faces light up, they clap, tap along, or even start to sing. "It brings back memories - maybe it is their wedding song or a tune from a family celebration. "Music evokes strong emotions and can trigger joyful or meaningful memories." The charity said that 76 per cent of residents reported feeling less isolated after participating in Music in Hospitals & Care live music, while 78 per cent of residents felt less stressed and anxious. Ms Wooten added: "With something like Alexa or YouTube playing in the background, distractions are common, but with a live performance they are captivated. "That is rare for someone with dementia, whose attention span is often short."
Powys County Times
20-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Powys communities improve public toilets with £40,000
Two Powys communities have benefitted from £40,000 of funding from the Welsh Government towards new public toilet facilities. Berriew and Crickhowell have revamped the public toilets via funding secured by Powys County Council from the Welsh Government, with Berriew receiving £22,500 towards improving the 50-year-old toilets in the centre of the village and Crickhowell getting £18,000 towards a revamp of the toilets at the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre. The funding was secured by the council's economy and climate service to cover 80 per cent of the project costs, while the improvements were managed by by Crickhowell Town Council and Berriew Community Council. Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, said: 'It's great that visitors to Crickhowell and Berriew now have access to better toilet facilities. 'I hope more people will now be encouraged to stop off and see what both places have to offer and spend more than just a penny.' Crickhowell Town Council used its funding, along with a Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Sustainable Development Fund grant, to install new water-saving toilets, waterless urinals, 8kWp PV solar panels and battery, and low energy light fittings. Crickhowell town councillor Tony D'Anna said: 'This project took over six months to complete, but the hard work will pay off in the end. The town council and CRiC should save £5,000 per year on the operating costs for the toilets – currently more than £23,000 – and we will reduce our carbon footprint by over one tonne. 'Its success will be down to terrific partnership work with Powys County Council's tourism team, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and CRiC staff.' Berriew Community Council used its funding, along with a National Lottery Awards for All grant, to create two modern public toilet compartments, accessible to all, including those in wheelchairs and families needing baby change facilities. Councillor Phil Bettley, chair of Berriew Community Council added: 'This major refurbishment was long overdue and entailed us buying the freehold from the landlord for £1 to secure the facilities into the future. "We now have two modern, self-contained, private spaces with hygienic facilities which are frequented regularly by locals, tourists and those passing by. 'This couldn't have achieved without the Brilliant Basics grant and the National Lottery, Awards for All, scheme and we are very grateful to both bodies for their tremendous support.'
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Ayrshire based Scottish Wildlife Trust project gets funding boost
A project that supports Ayrshire's greenspaces has been given a funding boost. Action for Nature, the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Ayrshire-based community engagement project, has been extended until at least 2026. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the project offers a range of volunteer roles and activities to support local communities to improve greenspaces for wildlife and people. And thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund's Awards for All programme and the Nationwide Colleague Grant Award, the Trust has announced that the project will continue for a further year. Volunteers undertake tasks such as tree planting, path maintenance and clearing invasive plants while the project also works alongside existing community groups to enhance local greenspaces and runs regular public events to connect people to the nature on their doorstep. Harry Richards, the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Ayrshire Community Engagement Officer, said: 'For 10 years now, we've seen how beneficial taking action for nature can be – both for people and wildlife. "As well as the conservation benefits, such as the development of a tree nursery at Gailes Marsh or the protection of sand dunes in Stevenston, it's really satisfying to see people take so much pride in their local area. You'll often find us out and about on one of the Trust's wildlife reserves around Irvine or Kilwinning , but we're keen that the project can benefit people all over Ayrshire. "We've had volunteers learning new skills and college students getting hands on experience by working beside community partners on sites including Stevenston's Lockhart Campus and Troon's Fullarton Woods.' As well as practical conservation tasks, Action for Nature runs weekly wellbeing sessions that involve low intensity activities such as walking and wildlife watching. Participants develop social connections in a safe space while enjoying the physical and mental health benefits brought about by spending time in nature. Action for Nature volunteer, Emma Kendon, said: 'It's always great to find your 'tribe', and the Community Conservation volunteers are definitely my tribe. I get a lot from discovering nature in parts of the county I'd not known about, meeting new people and learning how to help look after the various wildlife patches – and I really appreciate having the right equipment available. "Looking back on the work we've done at the end of a day is always deeply satisfying. Even if it means some extra laundry and scraping gloopy mud off your boots.' The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: 'It's fantastic to see that the Scottish Wildlife Trust is helping people across Ayrshire play a hands-on role in protecting and enhancing their local greenspaces. "This inspiring project is a brilliant example of how our funding is helping communities come together to take action for nature. It's exactly the community-led action we're proud to support as it speaks directly to our environmental mission, making our natural world more sustainable and accessible for everyone.' Kerry O'Malley, Head of Social Impact for Nationwide, added: 'We're incredibly proud to support the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Ayrshire community nature project through Nationwide's Colleague Grant programme. The work the Scottish Wildlife Trust does strengthens our shared commitment to support local communities.' More information about Action for Nature can be found here Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
