Lotto Wins For Leeds Groups

Children at a Leeds primary school will be playing out at the seaside - thanks to the latest wave of lottery hand outs. Bracken Edge at Chapel Allerton is one of 10 projects in the city sharing almost £100,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to 10 projects including art, music and dance therapy for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. The money at the school will create a beach themed play area for kids with the handout - teacher James Sparrow says it's important the children have somewhere to get out and about, "It's greatly needed, although we have quite a big outside area, it's really basic and so we're tied to the elements. If it rains it gets muddy, if it snows it gets muddy and the ground's really hard in the summer. "This will help us to develop it into specific areas of learning so that the children will be able to use it all year round and we'll be able to incorporate the teaching we do in the classroom outside more. "What the children, specifically in this area, lack is structured organised outside play. This will give them the opportunity to develop their imagination and their creativity in a way outside that we can't provide at the moment." And Mr Sparrow's full of praise - and thanks - to the Big Lottery Fun who've provided the money. "Any school we struggle for money these days and any opportunity to develop things like our outside area or different parts of the school just wouldn't be possible without this funding." The full list of projects in Leeds being funded:

BITAC Solutions C.I.C.** £10,000 **This is a project by a community interest company in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to deliver Information Technology and Communications training for young adults in the local area, support to local business start-ups and create an ITC recycle scheme project. This will provide work experience, equipment to local business start ups and recycle unwanted ICT equipment.

Gan Yisroel Parents Association £9,920 The group will use funding to provide young people in the community with volunteering opportunities, to include providing respite for parents of children with special needs by engaging the children in games at home and working with adults with learning disabilities on a local allotment.

Ghazal Arts UK £9,900 This is a project by a voluntary organisation in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to deliver support sessions, including dance, arts and crafts and communications, for local BME people with mental health issues or special learning needs. This will enable the beneficiaries to manage stress and depression, maintain independence, socialise with others and gain a support network.

Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre (Heart) Ltd £7,516 This is a project by a company limited by guarantee in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to purchase a storage facility. This will provide a safe storage area to enable the community to continue using the community building.

Leeds Combined Arts** £8,142 **This is a project by a voluntary organisation in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to deliver art and music therapy workshops for local people, targeting disabled people, older people and those suffering from dementia and memory loss. This will provide therapeutic activities to reduce stress, anxiety and isolation.

New Farnley Cricket Club £10,000 This is a project by a community organisation in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to renovate the dilapidated meeting room to make it more comfortable for existing users and attract new community uses. This will strengthen the community by securing an accessible venue in an area where there are few other community facilities.

Ryecroft Academy** £9,090**

This is a project by a primary academy in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to train year 5 and 6 pupils to become mentors and positive role models providing support to younger pupils before and after school and during break times using practical techniques and new play equipment. This will enable older children to work with younger pupils to ensure good behaviour at break times and outside of school hours.

Schumacher North £7,590 This is a project in Leeds. The organisation will use the funding to deliver a series of events bringing together local businesses, third sector groups and members of the community to share ideas relating to economic and environmental sustainability.

Wetherby St James Church Centre Trust** £10,000 **This is a project by a registered charity in Wetherby in West Yorkshire. The organisation will use the funding to refurbish the kitchen at its community venue and install modern cooking equipment and facilities. This will enable the group to create an accessible and safe kitchen facility for use by community groups and residents accessing activities and events, as well as increasing the range of activities available at the centre.