National Lottery Awards Finalists Revealed

The National Lottery is today calling on people across the UK to vote for their favourite projects in this year’s prestigious National Lottery Awards.

Forty-nine of the country’s most outstanding Lottery funding projects have made it through to the final and will battle it out to be named the winner in one of seven categories, each representing a different area of National Lottery funding.

The National Lottery Awards recognise and reward the inspirational work of National Lottery funded projects across all sections of society. National Lottery players raise a staggering £33 million every week for projects all across the UK. .

Over 750 projects entered this year’s Awards, with a panel of judges selecting the finalists in each of the seven categories: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

The finalists are competing in a public vote between June 25 and July 23. Winners will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony in September which will be broadcast on BBC One. They will also pick up a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy and a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project.

TV star and actor John Barrowman will be presenting the National Lottery Awards for the fourth time this year:

“Every year I am moved by the exceptional work that the finalists of the National Lottery Awards carry out. They typify everything that is right with society – the volunteering, community spirit and selflessness.

“I urge everyone to get behind their favourite projects as they aim to get the recognition they so richly deserve. National Lottery players should be proud that the £33 million they raise for charities every single week goes to projects like these.”

Jackie O’Sullivan of National Lottery Good Causes added: “We had a superb number of entries this year and making it though to the finals of the National Lottery Awards is fantastic recognition of the impact these projects have had.

“All 49 finalists are outstanding examples of how National Lottery funding is changing lives and making a real difference to communities up and down the country.

“Every week National Lottery players raise over £33 million for thousands of projects like these. It’s now down to you, the public, to get behind your favourite project and vote.”

The finalists are:

Best Arts Project
10 Mewn Bws (10 in a Bus) project took 10 musicians from different backgrounds to research Welsh traditional music and interpret it in new ways.

Boys Dancing in Warwick works with schools, youth groups and prisoners to give boys and young men the opportunity to learn contemporary dance from professionals.

The Chandelier of Lost Earrings is a sculpture made from over 3,000 single earrings donated by owners who have lost the other half of the pair.

‘Creating The Spectacle!’ was a series of performances and videos by artist Sue Austin featuring the world’s first underwater wheelchair.

The Happy Lands was an arts project centred around the Fife coalmining communities and resulting in the feature film The Happy Lands.

somewhereto_ connects 16-25 year olds with access to empty spaces through organisations and individuals to make their ideas, activities and enterprises happen. It also provides work experience opportunities.

StarDisc is a 21st century stone circle created in the form of a 40ft diameter star chart carved into granite, providing a unique venue for drama, music and astronomical events.

Best Education Project

Tower Hamlets Air Cadets was set up following the riots in 2011. The squadron works with local young people aged between 13 and 20, providing training which can be used in either the services or civilian life.

The BFI Film Academy is UK wide training initiative for gifted 16-19 year olds who want to work in film, led by industry experts.

Hooray for Homework Club provides a drop-in service for children aged 5-11 on an estate in Mansfield. Staff help the children with their homework and engage them in activities such as sewing, gardening and community projects.

Just Kids provides information, training and support for parents and professionals working with young people who have Down syndrome through a variety of different courses, activities, and intervention sessions.

SAFER (Scams and Fraud Education for Residents) provides older people in West Yorkshire with the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves against scams, fraud and rogue traders.

Skydancer works with local communities across northern England to conserve hen harriers, a bird on the brink of extinction.

Slam H is an exercise programme run by former World’s Strongest Man ‘Big’ Dave Gauder, which also provides advice on communication skills and nutrition for young people who are on probation or not in employment in the West Midlands..

Best Environment Project

FareShare Cymru redistributes surplus food from the food industry to organisations throughout South East Wales to help feed people in need. It also provides volunteering and work experience opportunities.

Growing Global Food offers children and adults in inner-city London rare access to a school garden to interact with wildlife and grow organic food.

The Helix is a project that has transformed the landscape between Falkirk and Grangemouth through the construction of the 300-hectare Helix Park, the installation of art sculptures including the iconic Kelpies, a canal extension and improved woodlands and pathways that connect the two towns.

Restoration of Howsham Mill saw a ruined Georgian watermill transformed back to its former glory thanks to National Lottery funding. It now generates hydro-electricity and is used as an environmental education centre.

Gorbals Recycles Project in Glasgow has diverted thousands of tonnes of domestic waste. Collecting donations from local households and businesses, they reuse and recycle by providing low cost goods to individuals and families on low incomes.

The Urban River Enhancement Scheme (URES) has improved the river environments in Burnley town centre, attracting more wildlife and improving people’s attitude to the area.

The Young Carers Nature Challenge gave over 500 young carers a break from their responsibilities at home where they look after an ill sibling or parent. It provided a relaxing opportunity to learn about nature and the environment through a range of outside activities.

Best Heritage Project

Cotton Famine Park in Oldham has been restored to its original Victorian splendor with National Lottery funding, bringing alive its remarkable architecture and landscape, and attracting visitors back to the neglected area.

Home Of Metal was a series of events and exhibitions across the West Midlands celebrating the area’s heritage as the birthplace of heavy metal music and paying tribute to local bands who helped shape the genre globally.

Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth’s historic dockyard displays artefacts and the remaining hull of the Mary Rose, the favourite warship of Henry VIII’s before it sank in the Solent along with the loss of more than 500 crew in July 1545.

Moments in Time helps people living with dementia, telling their stories of life in the seaside town of Sidmouth, Devon. Memories are triggered through reminiscence trips, local history talks, memory boxes, and intergenerational exchanges, then shared through a community display, a memory book and online.

The Museum of Liverpool tells the story of the city in a stunning new building on Liverpool’s historic waterfront. It celebrates the city and its rich heritage with a range of bold and emotive collections and quality exhibitions.

The Restoration of Hackney Empire - National Lottery funding enabled the restoration of this much loved performing arts theatre, leading to a significant increase in visitor numbers and giving thousands of young people the chance to develop their talents.

St George's Market is a restored historical indoor market building in Belfast that dates back to the 1890s. As well as markets and events, it houses shops, a restaurant and office accommodation.

Best Health Project

Changing Faces Yorkshire & the Humber Centre supports people who have facial or body disfigurements, helping them to cope with psychological and social pressures through face to face sessions, group workshops and training on how to manage the condition.

Come Eat Together helps older people access, cook and enjoy healthy food together through lunch clubs, cookery demonstrations, recipe sharing and supporting them with shopping and using the internet.

HeadSmart is a national campaign that has saved lives by dramatically cutting the average time it takes to diagnose brain tumours in children and young people. This was achieved by distributing symptoms cards and education packs, engaging with healthcare professionals and setting up a dedicated website and app.

HenPower allows older people and those with dementia living in care homes to look after hens to improve their health and wellbeing. The Hen Road show involves the more active participants taking the hens to visit other care homes as well as schools and other groups.

Petals is a specialist counselling service for women and couples in Cambridgeshire who’ve suffered the loss of their baby or a miscarriage. Petals provides emotional support to help people come to terms with the loss.

Ping Pong Care Campaign encourages older people across the UK to get active by playing ping pong. Inspired by a documentary on the Over 80s World Table Tennis Championships, the campaign provides special ping pong packs to people in residential homes.

Wellbeing Activity Breaks for Young People with Cancer brightens the lives of hundreds of young cancer patients every year. People aged between 14 and 30 go on free activity breaks at the Youth Cancer Trust’s dedicated hotel in Bournemouth to give them a revitalising break.

Best Sport Project

Active East is using the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a springboard to encourage more young people in the East of Glasgow to take part in sport and physical activity and build skills through volunteering.

Breeze is a cycling programme run by a network of female volunteers to get more women bike riding for fun. It organises rides, teaches beginners to ride, provides access to bikes and focuses on the fun, social aspect of cycling

Carry A Basketball Not A Blade combines basketball coaching with talks about the dangers of knife crime and gang culture. After the basketball training, the youngsters attend awareness sessions on various topics such as how to deal with peer pressure and taking responsibility for your actions.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust brings together men and women of all physical abilities, through the adventure and challenge of sailing aboard two very special tall ships, Lord Nelson and Tenacious. Crew members are taught vital sailing skills during the voyages as well as important life skills.

Sainsbury's 2013 School Games gave over 1,600 of the country’s most talented pupils the opportunity to participate in sporting venues throughout Sheffield in an Olympic and Paralympic Games environment.

SmashUp! is a new take on playing badminton, aimed at encouraging 13-16 year olds who wouldn’t normally take part in sport to swing a badminton racket with their friends. There’s in-session music, no dress code and no formal coaching.

Street Football Wales (SFW) provides football opportunities for people who are socially excluded through mental health issues, homelessness or alcohol and drug abuse. As well as sports sessions, it provides a training and education programme.

Best Voluntary/Charity Project

Be Safe Be Well looks after the physical and emotional wellbeing of elderly people in Limavady, Northern Ireland, by providing a range of activities, events and support.

Distance Befriending recruits, trains, supports and supervises volunteers from across the Highlands to befriend people who are experiencing loneliness and isolation as a consequence of mental ill health.

Dragonflies @ fsn has helped 1,300 children and young people come to terms with the death or the impending loss of a loved one.

Fixers are inspirational young people making positive changes for the people around them. More than 12,500 young people aged 16 to 25 have become Fixers, using their past experiences to ‘fix’ or change the future for themselves and others.

If U Care Share Foundation helps people who have been or could potentially be a victim to suicide through prevention, intervention and support services.

Time to Change is England's biggest programme to end the stigma and discrimination against people who experience mental health problems.

Voting for The National Lottery Awards starts at 9am on Wednesday 25 June and ends at midnight on Wednesday 23 July. You can vote at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards and follow us on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards