Teignmouth-based charity, The Alice Cross Centre, has been awarded a five-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, which will provide vital financial support to help the Centre continue and develop its services for the local community.
The Centre is one of many community organisations supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, helping local groups to continue delivering vital services and improving wellbeing.
The funding will contribute around £65,000 per year for the next five years towards the Centre’s £215,000 annual running costs. The grant offers the charity much needed stability, and the ability to plan for the continuation of services and active fundraising. Fundraising is vitally important to The Alice Cross Centre, particularly in the current challenging climate, as many charities face rising costs and increased demand for services.
The Alice Cross Centre provides a wide range of services in Teignmouth for older people, vulnerable adults, and residents from the surrounding area. These include meal delivery, social groups, affordable activities and events, and a welcoming, safe space open to all. Each year, the Centre supports hundreds of people by delivering 3,648 meals and running 780 activities and sessions, helping to tackle loneliness, strengthen community connections, and ensure fewer local people feel forgotten.
Andy Longford, Chair of Trustees at The Alice Cross Centre said:
“This National Lottery grant is a huge milestone for the Alice Cross Centre. It has taken nine months of hard work to progress through a highly competitive application and assessment process, and we are deeply grateful for the support we have received. The funding will help secure our core running costs which are the foundations that keep the Centre open, safe, and functioning every day. While it gives us much-needed security, it does not remove the need for ongoing local support, as we still need to raise significant additional income of around £150,000 each year. This funding gives us stability, not surplus.”
Peta Howell, Centre Manager at The Alice Cross Centre, added:
“This funding will have a transformative effect, securing the future of The Alice Cross Centre while enabling us to sustain, strengthen, and grow the vital services and activities that bring connection, friendships, food, fun and hope to hundreds of local people every day. Thanks to National Lottery players, and the continued backing from our supporters, we can future proof the organisation and ensure that the Alice Cross Centre continues to support people for many years to come.”