Celebrating 30 years of National Lottery funding in Wales

Since the first National Lottery draw in November 1994, more than £2.4 billion has been invested into good causes in Wales, benefiting more than 74,000 arts, community, sports and heritage projects throughout the country.

This means that most people in Wales will have benefited from a National Lottery-funded project at some point during the last 30 years.

From building community spirit and local pride, to championing unsung heroes and encouraging creative flair or sporting genius, by saving species and preserving landmarks, the impact of lottery funding has been huge.

At a special event held today in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, the First Minister and her fellow Senedd Members met a wide range of organisations and community groups who are using National Lottery funding to do amazing things.

The First Minister, Eluned Morgan, said:

“For three decades, the National Lottery has been transforming communities and enriching lives across Wales. This includes nearly £400 million of Lottery funding awarded by the Arts Council of Wales to around 17,000 projects, making sure that art and culture thrive across our nation.

“The Lottery has funded good causes in every postcode area in Wales, which reflects the breadth and impact of what has been delivered. A huge thank you to you to all the National Lottery players for raising £30million every week for good causes across the UK.”

The event was hosted in partnership by Allwyn – the operators of The National Lottery – together with the four National Lottery distributors operating in Wales: The Arts Council of Wales, The National Lottery Community Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Sport Wales.

More than a dozen projects were represented at the Senedd to talk about how they’re using lottery funding to make a difference.

These included:

• WeMindTheGap, who have been recently awarded £4.9m to support their work with disengaged young people across north Wales who have often encountered adverse childhood experiences, resulting in high levels of isolation.

• Cariad Pet Therapy, an organisation that uses lottery funding to deliver pet therapy to isolated individuals in the community and in care settings, hospitals, mental health units, schools and workplaces across South Wales.

• StreetGames, an organisation that is backed by lottery funding to mobilise the power of sport and physical activity to improve the lives of all disadvantaged children and young people in Wales and the communities they live in.

• The Natur am Byth partnership, which is bringing together 10 leading conservation organisations to protect and save 67 of Wales’ most vulnerable species.

• Horizons/GorwelionHorizons/Gorwelion, an initiative which helps to foster new talent in the Welsh music scene thanks to lottery funding.

Andrew White, Chair of the Wales National Lottery Forum and Director of Wales at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: 

“The National Lottery has been a game changer for Wales. Its impact on arts, film, heritage, sports, and communities across Wales is unparalleled. For three decades, it has empowered individuals and communities, enabling thousands of transformative projects. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we look forward to building on this legacy and supporting even more game changing moments for future generations.” 

Allwyn Chair, Justin King CBE, said:

“We’re celebrating £2.4 billion of funding supporting Good Causes across Wales – all thanks to National Lottery players.

“Beyond changing countless lives, transforming communities and making millionaires, The National Lottery has around 2,600 committed retailers across Wales acting as its public face, while an incredible 408 National Lottery millionaires have been made in Wales since 1994.

“As we look forward, our plans to transform The National Lottery are underway and we’re fully committed to building on this success story.”

For more information on National Lottery funding in your area, please visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk