Group supporting blind people across Northamptonshire hits the jackpot with £356,000 lottery grant

More than 19,000 people across the county could benefit from the mopney which comes from the fund’s Reaching Communities programme which works to improve the lives of disadvantaged people.

This new funding helps secure NAB’s Enable Project, which helps thousands of the county’s blind and partially sighted adults and children to live independently within the community and make the most of what life has to offer, for a further three years.

The project provides a range of complimentary services including Home Visits, Emotional Support, Advice on health, welfare, wellbeing, and coping with daily living tasks, Assistance with specialist aids, equipment and new technology, interest and social groups across the county, befriending and sight centres in both Northampton and Kettering - plus a mobile sight centre which travels the county.

Alex Lohman, chief executive of NAB, said: “This is really great news. The Enable Service costs £300,000 a year and this award, along with commitments made by local trusts as well as the continuing generosity and support of the people of Northamptonshire on whom we rely so much, goes a long way to securing the funding needed to keep this vital service going for at least another three years.”

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund England grant making director, said: “So many local community organisations are enabling people and communities to grow together bringing positive changes to their lives and futures. It’s wonderful to hear the stories of how through these great projects people have overcome barriers, learned new skills and improved their lives.”

The Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All scheme provides grants between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations and Reaching Communities awards larger grants of £10,000 and above.

For more information on funding available, visit https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding

To find out more about services provided by Northamptonshire Association for the Blind please call their Helpline: 01604 719193 or visit www.nab.org.uk