Basingstoke Mencap Secures National Lottery Funding to Subsidise Vital Leisure Services

Basingstoke Mencap is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to subsidise its extensive range of Leisure Services. This crucial funding will support activities including dance, bingo, arts, crafts, life skills, and disco events, ensuring they remain accessible to all community members.

The successful application, spearheaded by CEO Tim Knight, highlighted the pressing need for continued support during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Mr Knight said, “Our service users face a ‘disability price tag’ that makes this economic climate particularly challenging. This generous funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will allow us to maintain our session fees at an average of £7, well below the full cost recovery level of £11 per session.”

The grant will play a pivotal role in ensuring that no one is financially excluded from these life-enhancing and life-changing activities over the next 12 months. It will also enable Basingstoke Mencap to continue delivering these vital services without incurring financial losses.

Debbie Chapman, Leisure Services Lead at Basingstoke Mencap, commented on the significance of this funding: “This support from The National Lottery Community Fund will make a huge difference for our service users. It allows us to continue building a thriving and fun peer community, which is crucial in combating loneliness, developing life skills and improving social lives. We’re incredibly grateful that, thanks to National Lottery players, we can keep our doors open to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.”

Basingstoke Mencap thanks The National Lottery Community Fund and all National Lottery players for their support. This funding will significantly improve the lives of people with learning disabilities in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas.