Trowbridge Future is celebrating a National Lottery award of more than £430,000 to support its work with young people and communities in the town.

For the next four years, the funding will help the charity to support people through the cost-of-living crisis, provide opportunities for community connection, and develop its services for children and young people.

Meg Aubrey, Trowbridge Future’s chief executive, said: “We are really delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognized the valuable work of Trowbridge Future and chosen to support us for the next four years.

“We are excited to be able to press on with plans for enhancing the lives of communities in our town, and supporting vulnerable people onto a positive journey of change in their lives.”

The charity celebrated the funding announcement with members of its weekly craft club at its Seymour Hub - where it welcomes local people to its warm and friendly ‘public living room’.

The craft club brings local people together to enjoy time together over craft activities led by the charity’s community support workers.

“Having moved here recently I have fitted in and made friends immediately. Everyone is so welcoming,” said Pat, part of the Seymour celebration.

Mark, also part of the celebration, said: “Trowbridge Future has built my confidence and given me a life.”

Trowbridge Future has become an essential front-line service for many local vulnerable residents and young people. A central community hub in The Shires shopping centre offers friendly drop-in sessions supporting around 250 people per month with advice and sign-posting.

The charity runs weekly Kindness Cafes open to all at its Seymour Hub and Longfield Community Centre, and three community fridges working with communities not reached by the Storehouse Food Bank. The fridges share unsold food from stores in town and feed 5,000 people each year.

More than 300 young people attend free weekly youth sessions led by professional youth workers. The sessions welcome young people to a safe, engaging space and support those with disabilities, mental health and learning needs.

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. 

National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK and last year The National Lottery Community Fund distributed more than £615.4 million of life-changing funding to communities.

For more details about Trowbridge Future click here.