£150,000 for Live at Home Northampton from the Big Lottery Fund

MHA's Live at Home Northampton scheme has received £153,024 from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme.

The Big Lottery Fund is today celebrating its tenth birthday having awarded close to £6 billion to community groups and projects since it was formed in 2004. Reaching Communities supports projects working with people and communities most in need.

Northampton Live at Home will use the funding to expand services including a men's group (men are often more difficult to reach) and a falls awareness scheme to provide advice on mobility and enable people to feel safer at home.

Manager Ray Gardner said, "The award will underpin the valuable work the scheme undertakes, supporting older people within the community who are isolated and struggling to maintain their independence. This can be due to age-related illnesses, death of a spouse or lack of close family or friends. We can continue to make a significant difference to the lives of many people whilst addressing the growing epidemic of loneliness amongst an ever increasing population of older people.”

The scheme already provides social and practical support to older people living independently through services such as lunch clubs, social events and shopping assistance.

In total, the Big Lottery Fund awarded £1 million to four East Midlands community projects, including Northampton Live at Home. Reaching Communities has now awarded £1 billion to projects in England.