NI Lottery Fund Winners Celebrated

A scheme offering support for deaf people across the North West has been announced as a winner at the National Lottery Awards 2011.

Hands That Talk's 'Breaking down the barriers to Social Inclusion' project was announced as the winner of the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category during a special, star-studded BBC1 programme, The National Lottery Awards, broadcast on Saturday.

Hosted by Mylene Klass the star-studded show celebrated the work of 21 Lottery-funded projects from across the UK, seven of which were honoured with an award, as voted for by the general public.

Hands That Talk’s project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, improves the quality of life for deaf people by providing access to employment, education and services.

It has also enabled the Deaf Community to experience a much more deaf aware society where communication barriers have been broken down and opportunities exist for personal growth and confidence building. The project has helped to train much-needed new interpreters, giving the Deaf Community increased access to communication support.

The Community Horticultural Enterprise, a project based in Lisnaskea supported by the Big Lottery Fund, also collected a runners-up award at the ceremony in the Best Education category (in association with Best magazine).

The group started off as an allotment garden in 2006 and is now providing training courses, workshops and classes to help local people deal with social disadvantage and to understand the interdependence of the environment, health and quality of life.

Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: "I am delighted that Hands That Talk has been recognised for its excellent work at this year’s National Lottery Awards. I would also like to congratulate Community Horticultural Enterprise for picking up a runner-up award."

(BMcC)