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BIG to administer £126m injection into the nation's health

Fundraising | 1 Jul 2007

The Big Lottery Fund has invested £126m in charities that can help regenerate the nation's health and wellbeing.

The money is being rolled out nationally and regionally across England on Wednesday with the aim of bringing whole communities - young and old - into good mental and physical health by promoting exercise and healthy eating.

The programme aims in particular to promote partnership working between organisations across sectors in order to increase participation and innovation and encourage a combined approach.

The money will be split between five major national charities and nine regional organisations, including community health and wellbeing promoters. The national charities are Age Concern, Mind, Sustrans, the School Food Trust, and the Foyer Federation.  Included in the regional award winners are the Greater London Authority, the Peabody Trust and the West Midlands Regional Assembly.

Sir Clive Booth, chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "Investment in healthy living and active lifestyles has become more important over the last few years, especially in the context of growing obesity levels and the increase in mental health conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety. The substantial size of the grants awarded shows the importance BIG places on supporting solutions to these problems throughout England.

"All the grant recipients are leaders in their respective fields and the programmes will go a long way in helping individuals and communities to improve their lifestyles. The funding offers a great opportunity to access preventative health services at a local level, and the projects are also part of a wider strategy to achieve a national step-change in attitudes, lifestyles and the life chances of our children."

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England which will receive £15.1m, said: "This grant will enable us to deliver truly life-changing benefits to thousands of older people across the UK."

Jane Slowey, Foyer Federation chief executive said of its grant: "Malnourishment, alcohol, smoking and a lack of physical activity are experienced by most young people living in Foyers.  Too often they are unable to access support or move towards a healthy lifestyle. This investment will help transform the health and wellbeing of 9,000 disadvantaged young people over the next three years and create a sustainable legacy through a healthy Foyer network."

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Directory: Mind | Age Concern | Big Lottery Fund | The Foyer Federation