In their own words... services for coastal regeneration

Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is the largest distributor of Lottery money, responsible for giving out half the money raised by the National Lottery for good causes: 14 pence of every pound spent on a Lottery ticket. This money goes to community groups and to projects that improve health, education and the environment. BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities, and to the lives of people most in need.

BIG has a range of programmes that organisations can apply to. Further details on programmes currently open can be found at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, or phone 0845 410 20 30.

Reaching Communities is an England-wide programme that provides funding to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. The programme gives grants of more than £10,000 and up to £500,000, including a maximum of £50,000 for capital grants. Projects can be funded for up to 5 years. An overall maximum project size has been set at £750,000, with a maximum of £200,000 for the total capital element.

Awards for All is another England-wide programme that provides funding to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. Awards for All gives grants of between £300 and £10,000 for new or developed projects. An application form and guidance notes can be downloaded from www.awardsforall.org.uk.

For both these programmes, successful applications will need to meet one of the four programme outcomes:

• better chances in life for people;
• stronger communities;
• improved rural and urban environments;
• healthier and more active people and communities.

The Big Lottery Fund supports many projects around the coastal areas of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. BIG's regional and country teams work with local stakeholders to understand the needs and issues facing each local coastal area. The teams are part of local networks and partnerships that regularly run events for groups looking for funding in these areas.

• Case study: Brighton

  Borders and Boundaries, funded by BIG, used photography and film to work with a small group of young vulnerable people aged 13-18 who criminally offended or were at risk of offending, who were referred through youth support agencies. The project enabled the young people to share experiences in a safe environment and learn new skills such as photography and film-making. After four months the group produced a short film that will be used as a teaching resource.

  Three artists were employed to work with the group. Through workshops, discussions and creative activities, they explored the notions of borders and boundaries, both real and perceived. The group learned how to make films and worked together to create a visual representation of their lives and the experiences of their peers. Making the film was a group activity which encouraged each person to take on different roles and responsibilities. The result was a short film called TogetherAlone, which was written, performed and directed by the young people using just one camera.

  The 10-minute film is accompanied by a short teaching resource for teachers in the subject areas of art and design, film and media studies, citizenship, health and social care and humanities. The film explores various themes relevant to young people including identity, conflict, isolation, stereotypes, communication and making choices.

  Both the film and teaching resource were launched at a public presentation in May 2009. Following the launch, the resource has been posted out to schools, youth services and the youth offending team at Brighton & Hove City Council.

• Case study: Weston-super-Mare

  Weston-super-Mare & District Credit Union has two service points located in Central and South wards, which are the two most deprived wards in north Somerset. The organisation services a population of approximately 16,000. It offers an outlet in the town centre and at service points throughout the area, offering a service to people disadvantaged through poor credit ratings or other factors restricting their ability to access mainstream banking facilities.

  The Money Advice Centre is a unique partnership between the Credit Union, the local Citizens Advice Bureau and the local registered social landlord North Somerset Housing. Doorstep lenders in the area had been offering £100 loans that required £165 to be paid back, while the Credit Union would charge just £6.50 on top of the initial £100. Since December 2006 when the service started, CAB advisers have helped 1031 people, and the Credit Union has given out 300 loans totalling £72,000. In addition, North Somerset Housing's rent arrears have reduced by 9 per cent and the number of people in more than £1000 worth of debt has gone down from 148 to 104.

  The organisation spends a great deal of time marketing the project. The development worker speaks at various group meetings, including nursery groups, Sure Start and single-parent groups to encourage uptake of the services. Their website is regularly updated, and a small advert appears in the local newspaper on a monthly basis.