Dozens of organisations across East Lancashire are set to receive more than £648,000 in National Lottery funding.

A total of 29 East Lancashire charities and organisations in the area are set to receive a share of £2 million in funding from the National Lottery Community fund for the county.

A grand total of £648,524 has been allocated to organisations doing vital work with communities in East Lancashire.

In Blackburn with Darwen alone, £328,563 has been allocated to various organisations and charities.

Access Ability CIC, which has provided specialist disability support services across Lancashire for 10 years, has been allocated the largest amount of this money and is set to be given £250,475 over a three year period.  

This National Lottery funding will allow the Duckworth Street organisation to provide a new project that will support adults aged 18 to 30 with autism and learning disabilities.

The project is funded for three years and will provide a supported progression route into employment and ongoing support to independence.  

Emma O’Connor, director of Access Ability, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can provide a specialist project for young adults with autism and learning disabilities, which will expand their experiences and support individuals to navigate their pathway to employment.

“Through this project our centre will also provide a range of free activities, parental and carer support and volunteering opportunities within the community. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”

Re:Source Blackburn, at The Exchange building in William Street, is set to receive £10,000. The funding will be used to cover the director of operations' salary.

The project aims to have someone at the venue who can oversee the charities day-to-day work, organise events, and coordinate with other local groups to help and support the people of Blackburn.

The Asylum and Refugee Community Hall (ARC) at Wesley has been allocated £10,000. The funding will be used to bring in specialist support for asylum seekers and refugees who have dispersed within the Blackburn area.

Darwen Heritage Centre has been allocated £9,100. The funding will be partly used to run weekly reminiscing and digital skills sessions for older members living in the community.

Darwen-based Brain Health Breakthrough CIC has been allocated £10,000. The funding will be used to deliver a mentoring circle for people with neuro divergent issues finding it difficult to get into work. 

Darwen’s Junction 4 Skatepark CIC has been allocated £9,940. This project will support young people with urban sports and to promote healthy lifestyles equal opportunities and community inclusion and participation.

FACE – Family and Community Enterprise, at Bangor St Community Centre, is set to use their £10,000 funding to run a kids holiday programme during schools holidays. 

Organisations in wider parts of Lancashire have also received part of the £2m funding, including Fleetwood Town Community Trust.

Its new project, Be Active Stay Healthy (BASH) is an initiative designed specifically for residents aged 18+ and will be hosted in the most in-need locations throughout the local borough of Wyre.

Each hub aims to create a welcoming environment based on mutual respect and support, making participants feel valued, safe and able to develop new friendship groups.

A range of activities, such as yoga and boxercise will be readily available on a weekly basis to give local people the platform to improve their own physical and mental health.

A participant of the Walk and Talk project said: “I have enjoyed the Walk & Talk for so many reasons, it is a fantastic idea which has helped me through the darkness of losing my darling husband, I’ve met so many lovely people who love to chat and laugh like myself but also people who care and want to help each other.”

Gillian Halliwell, Head of Regional Funding for the North West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players and the hard work and dedication of local projects, like Fleetwood Town Community Trust, this funding will make a big difference to people’s lives within the borough of Wyre. 

"We’re delighted that our funding is being used to strengthen communities and provide people with the tools and support they need to prosper and thrive.”

Here is a full list of organisations in East Lancashire set to benefit from the National Lottery funding:

Lancashire isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that almost more than £65 million has been awarded to almost 2,000 projects in England in the past three months.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week across the UK for good causes.