Wonder Arts is celebrating today after being awarded £179,246 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to deliver a new project; Communities of Wonder.

Communities of Wonder will improve confidence and wellbeing, mental health and life choices and aspirations of young people in St Helens. This new National Lottery funding will support Wonder Arts to remove barriers and increase accessibility for children and young people from deprived communities providing them with improved access to positive and creative activities and help them to feel more included in their community.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.

Fay Lamb, Chief Executive of Wonder Arts said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can take the important work we do in to the very heart of communities. By providing positive, creative experiences, we hope to develop long lasting relationships with children and young people across St Helens and we can’t wait to welcome them to our very own unique world of creativity, inspiration and wonder.”

Gillian Halliwell, Head of Regional Funding for the North West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players and the hard work and dedication of local projects like Wonder Arts, this funding will make a big difference to young people’s lives across St. Helens. We’re delighted that our funding is being used to increase opportunities and provide young people with the tools and support they need to prosper and thrive.”

During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.

Wonder arts is a charity and arts organisation creating wonderfully unique experiences for over 50,000 children, young people, and families across the North West – every year – inspiring wonder and delight, transforming lives and communities. Wonder arts began in 2022, but its heritage goes back 34 years as the former Citadel Arts, with much-loved arts activities in St Helens.

For further information visit the Wonder Arts website www.wonderarts.co.uk