The Big Lottery Fund has announced over £44m in funding for 160 community groups as part of its Reaching Communities programme.

Asian Women’s Resource Centre has received the biggest grant of £500,000. Also receiving funding is Beyond Youth CIC in partnership with St Giles Trust and Home Connections who will work together to place offender in jobs and help match them to housing upon their release. The Raising the Bars project, working in Norfolk and Kent will use £333,695 to work with ex-offenders who have 12 months or less to go before their release.

Emma Morris, managing director for Beyond Youth, said: “Offending and reoffending costs country around £11bn every year and there is a clear need for an innovative approach to tackling the issues faced by people leaving prison.”

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Funding chair, added: “At a time of significant economic and social hardship for people and communities most in need the Big Lottery Fund is investing £44m to support and empower vulnerable communities to lead more fulfilling lives.

"The 160 projects across England that have successfully accessed BIG’s funding are doing everything from supporting families with disabled children who are in crisis with their finances, through to reducing crime and repeat offending. Each of these demonstrate that people can turn their lives around with the right support and the right approach.”

Last week, BIG announced Dawn Austwick as its new chief executive.

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