Local community group, Feathers Futures is today celebrating after being awarded £394,976.00 in National Lottery funding to support its work supporting women across Great Yarmouth. The group, based in Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth will use the money to secure the job roles of three staff who currently deliver courses, support and activities to over 450 women each year.
Feathers Futures was created in 2018 and is staffed by a team of five and thirty volunteers. Jo Critch founded the charity after local women were struggling to receive access to the right support or didn’t meet specific criteria to get the help and support they needed.
The charity now runs many different groups each week, including a free toiletries bank, exercise groups, cooking classes, domestic abuse recovery courses, confidence and self-care courses, arts and crafts, individual counselling sessions, and outreach sessions.
Feathers Futures is a charity that connects women into a vital, supportive community group. It provides a safe, nonjudgmental environment where women can have a voice, express feelings, be heard, and be understood. The aim is to be a place for women of all backgrounds to come and make friends, socialise, learn new skills, and receive support.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will mean that Feathers Futures can build on its first five years in the community and continue to meet the needs of women in the community for another five.
At the same time, the charity will be able to press on with plans to expand volunteering opportunities for women with lived experience by offering specialised peer support training so volunteers can use their skills, knowledge and experiences to help others going through similar challenges.
Jo Critch Founder and Manager commented: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to shift our focus onto the longer-term sustainability of the organisation, knowing that the key staff posts are secured for five years.
“This is important because funding for charities is becoming increasingly challenging and often short-term, yet demand for charities like ours is increasing, meaning the added pressure of uncertainty for the charity and its staff. We know how much we are needed and valued in our community, and we want to ensure we are here for the women in Great Yarmouth for many years to come.”
The special announcement was made on 8th March 2024, International Women’s Day. Throughout the day, the charity celebrated Feathers Futures’ inclusive, inspiring, and supportive environment. It was a wonderful day of connection, friendship, and support. Ladies enjoyed make-up demonstrations, homemade cakes, arm and hand massages, and crafts and were joined by
“I admire Jo Critch and her volunteers for their tireless work within the Great Yarmouth community. Women in Great Yarmouth have a place to meet, gain confidence, and strengthen their support for each other after some very unpleasant experiences.” Said, The Mayor of the Borough of Great Yarmouth, Councillor Penny Carpenter.
Feathers Futures are proud and honoured to help women of all backgrounds create a brighter future. The charity doesn’t just support those who have suffered domestic abuse; the team at Feathers Futures provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where women can have a voice, express feelings, and be heard and be understood. Our aim is to be a place for women to come and make friends, socialise, learn new skills and receive support.
Sandra, Project Co-Ordinator, commented: “When we heard the announcement about the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, it was emotional; everyone was cheering and clapping. This money means a lot to the charity. It means Feathers Futures will be able to not only continue to help women in their darkest times, but we can increase services and make an even bigger positive contribution to lives across the area.“
The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its new strategy, ‘It starts with community’, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.
As part of this, the funder has four key missions, which are to support communities to come together, be environmentally sustainable, help children and young people thrive and enable people to live healthier lives.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
Link to press article in Great Yarmouth Mercury
