Ceredigion MP Ben Lake has welcomed news that over £8.2m of National Lottery funding has been awarded to community projects across his constituency over the past five years.

The money, raised by players for good causes, is distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

Local projects to have benefited include HUTS, in Adpar, who received £495,979 in June 2018 to offer a peer-led befriending and outreach service to people in west Wales with mental health conditions, in addition to a drop-in service providing early intervention to people who have not yet been referred officially.

The Llandysul Family Centre was awarded £95,203 in November 2018 to increase family and community well-being in the area and to build on parents’ strength, empowering them to find solutions to situations and practice them in a safe place and then transfer them to their home life in the community.

Aberystwyth University Students’ Union received £23,000 in March to raise awareness and deliver training to increase the skills and knowledge of both staff and students around suicide prevention.

Therapies4Services were also successful and received £10,000 to set up a mentoring service for active soldiers, veterans and bereaved military families in order to help aid their mental wellbeing.

Mr Lake said: “It’s fantastic to hear that over £8.2m of National Lottery funding has gone to community projects in Ceredigion.

“These groups are inspirational in the great work and support they provide to local people. Thanks to their effort and dedication, National Lottery money is helping communities to thrive."

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