Connecting Communities

Connecting Communities is an initiative aimed at empowering and strengthening community ties across the UK. Launched in partnership with The National Lottery, it aims to promote dialogue and support Parliamentarians working to nurture a more connected society – whether that's through combating loneliness and isolation, regenerating town centres, bridging the digital divide, improving transport links, supporting rural areas or boosting economic opportunities and employment at a local level

Articles

Tackling the loneliness of life with HIV during lockdown

Partner content

15 Feb 2021 Coronavirus

Tackling the loneliness of life with HIV during lockdown

Many people with HIV have seen their social and support networks unravel or disappear during the pandemic. Thanks to support from the National Lottery, the Terrence Higgins Trust has been working since the start of the pandemic to address the isolation for those living with HIV.

15 Feb 2021 Communities

Cross-Party support is vital to refine legislative measures that will give protection from discrimination

Until recently the UK was a world leader in the defence of minorities and equality before the law. This LGBTQ+ history month, we must remember rights and freedoms are achieved across thousands of generations and must be guarded and protected.

Connecting communities and histories: capturing the proud heritage of Jewish social and economic contributions to the UK

Partner content

27 Jan 2021 Communities

Connecting communities and histories: capturing the proud heritage of Jewish social and economic contributions to the UK

Thanks to players of The National Lottery, £30 million is raised for Good Causes every week, funding projects like “Connecting Small Histories” and helping communities come together across the UK.

27 Jan 2021 Communities

Be a light in the darkness: a new generation must stand up against atrocities

With the turning of each year, the number of people who experienced the obscenity of the Holocaust diminishes. Gradually it is moving from living memory into the history books.

A pawfect partnership: How one dog provided an essential lifeline

Partner content

26 Jan 2021 Health

A pawfect partnership: How one dog provided an essential lifeline

Thanks to players of The National Lottery, over £30 million pounds is being raised for Good Causes every week, funding projects like Canine Partners and helping communities come together across the UK.

26 Jan 2021 Communities

During stressful lockdowns, canine companions can have a positive impact on physical and mental health

Having a dog and looking after it responsibly can be such a benefit to both us and our canine friends.

Partner content

18 Jan 2021 Coronavirus

How can music beat the isolation blues?

A National Lottery-funded charity that teaches children and adults with learning disabilities how to play instruments and allows them to perform on some of the country’s biggest stages, has done everything they can to keep the music playing during the pandemic.

18 Jan 2021 Coronavirus

The pandemic has taken its toll on the mental health of our young people, we can’t just ignore it

Even before COVID-19 existed 1 in 10 young people had a mental health issue, now that figure has risen to 1 in 8.

08 Dec 2020 Communities

National Grief Awareness Week: offering us a platform to talk openly

Losing someone close to us is one of the most difficult things we can go through, and although it will affect almost all of us at some point in our lives, it is something we rarely speak about.

Supporting grieving parents through difficult times

Partner content

08 Dec 2020 Communities

Supporting grieving parents through difficult times

Thanks to National Lottery funding, Julie and the Baby Loss Retreat have adapted to difficult times during the Covid-19 pandemic, continuing their support of grieving parents.

07 Dec 2020 Communities

Let's create a permanent army of volunteers, ready to help their communities

Nearly 97% of first-time volunteers questioned in a recent survey said that they would volunteer again. Creating the pathway and opening up opportunities for people to give their time would create a permanent army of volunteers, ready to get to work to help their communities.

How small acts of kindness can make a big difference to communities and volunteers

Partner content

07 Dec 2020 Communities

How small acts of kindness can make a big difference to communities and volunteers

Many amazing projects would not be possible without the support of dedicated volunteers. Thanks to National Lottery funding, volunteers are able to step up to support people and communities through these difficult times.

03 Dec 2020 Communities

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for increased understanding of disabilities

The detrimental effects of the pandemic on mental health and wellbeing mean that raising the profile of non-visible illnesses is more relevant a task than ever.

How are assistance dogs transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities?

Partner content

03 Dec 2020 Communities

How are assistance dogs transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities?

Thanks to National Lottery players, clever canines like Valley are helping people with disabilities gain greater confidence and independence.

30 Nov 2020 Communities

After the pandemic, our priority must be to build a fairer Scotland with wellbeing at its heart

As we begin the road to recovery from this pandemic, on this year’s St Andrew’s Day, our focus must be on building something better than our old normal.

How are Scottish communities staying connected during these difficult times?

Partner content

30 Nov 2020 Communities

How are Scottish communities staying connected during these difficult times?

This St Andrews Day, we celebrate the Good Causes that have made a huge difference to Scottish communities, thanks to funding from The National Lottery,

Protecting puffins on Skomer Island during lockdown

Partner content

16 Nov 2020 Communities

Protecting puffins on Skomer Island during lockdown

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery, vital information has been collected on protected bird species on Skomer Island, despite the Covid-19 threat.

16 Nov 2020 Environment

Calling for a Chilterns National Park

In 2020, more than ever, we need our open spaces and the green ‘lungs’ around our cities, which provide tranquillity and revitalisation. They strengthen physical and mental resilience for countless people.

Partner content

11 Nov 2020 Communities

Supporting veterans in our communities

As we mark Remembrance Day across the country today, we look at three stories from veterans and National Lottery-funded projects that have benefited from over £339 million in vital funding.

11 Nov 2020 Coronavirus

Although apart, we will remember our fallen together this year

On this year’s Remembrance Day, it is vital we continue to support all those who bravely serve our nation by keeping us safe and recognise the sacrifices they have made this year and throughout our country’s history, together.

How online yoga and dance classes have kept the elderly fit during the pandemic

Partner content

22 Oct 2020 Communities

How online yoga and dance classes have kept the elderly fit during the pandemic

For Dhirajlal Jugatram Master, 84, and his wife Bhanumati, 79, the classes – delivered via Facebook Live by the National Lottery-funded community organisation Apna Virsa – have proved a fantastic way to stay fit during the coronavirus pandemic.

22 Oct 2020 Communities

Older people are facing severe and constant threats to their health, wellbeing and quality of life

While the Government provides much needed support to businesses and industry, it would be tragic if vulnerable elderly people were forgotten a second time, just because they are out of sight and out of mind.

Partner content

19 Oct 2020 Communities

Bringing black history into focus

Thanks to The National Lottery-funded project, Back to Life, photos have been restored and colourised from the Jamaica Society Leeds to show a glimpse into the lives of first generation Jamaicans in the UK.

17 Oct 2020 Social affairs

After multiple reviews, it is time for a Race Equality Strategy to fundamentally change the system

When it comes to tackling racism, Boris Johnson has shown where his priorities lie. We need to address the laws, policies and structures that embed inequality in the UK

About The National Lottery

To date, National Lottery players have helped raise over £46 billion for Good Cause projects, transforming lives across the UK. More than 670,000 individual awards have been made, from grassroots projects in local communities to iconic, world-class landmarks and events, including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The National Lottery is currently operated by Camelot. Camelot is responsible for generating returns to National Lottery Good Causes, but plays no role in the allocation of funding. This is the specific responsibility of 12 National Lottery distributing bodies, each with specialist knowledge of their sector.

To find out more about applying for National Lottery funding, please click here.

The National Lottery creates over nine million winners a week across its range of games - and, on average, seven new millionaires. More than 6,500 millionaires or multi-millionaires have been created since launch in 1994.

The National Lottery is regulated by the Gambling Commission.

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