Fantastic £490k Lottery award for Underhill Park

As well as the building of the new Community Hub and Café, the funding from The National Lottery Communities Fund will also pay for the employment of a Community Development Co-ordinator for a period of 3 years.  The Co-ordinator will be appointed before the new Hub opens and will work with community groups, health providers, schools and local people to create a programme of activities that people want.

MCA’s goal is to use the new Hub and programme of activities to help reduce social isolation, support health and well-being, and increase the opportunities for the whole community. Chair of MCA, Simon Tse, said:

“We are thrilled that our grant application to The National Lottery Communities Fund has been successful. To be awarded the full amount we requested demonstrates the value of the proposals we put forward.   “The new Hub will be a tremendous asset for the people of Mumbles, and we will be working hard to ensure that it offers a lively and varied activity programme which provides something for everyone.   “We are hugely grateful to the National Lottery Communities Fund for their support and would also thank everyone who buys National Lottery tickets. Without you, we wouldn’t have this funding.”

The Community Hub & Café sits at the heart of MCA’s wider proposals for Underhill Park which, in Phase 1, also include replacing the existing sports changing rooms, new public toilets in a refurbished Pavilion, and a new floodlit all-weather pitch.

Support for the wider scheme has already been forthcoming from Mumbles Community Council who, in May, stated their full commitment to making it happen, because of the big difference the development will make to the local community. Chair of the Council, Cllr Dr Martin O’Neil, said:

“Underhill Parks sits in the heart of our community and as such is a central asset for all community members. Mumbles Community Council is committed to preserving such facilities as this, but we also aim to work with the wider community to ensure that it best serves the needs of local people and visitors.   “It is fantastic news that MCA have been successful in securing their grant from the National Lottery and MCC will continue to work in close partnership with MCA in order that we achieve the wider long terms plans for the park.   “It is great to see so many people in the community coming together in support of the plans for Underhill and I am sure that before too long this communal effort will result in real improvements to the facilities there”

Valuable and much appreciated funding has already been given to the project by local favourite, Joe’s Ice Cream, who have contributed £10k, and Mumbles Old People’s Welfare Association, who last year donated just over £9k to Go Underhill when they had to close their doors. With planning permission for the build having been awarded in November 2019, the scheme is now powering ahead. Detailed designs are being worked on so that tender documents can be issued with a view to starting building work in spring 2021.

About The National Lottery Communities Fund

We are the largest community funder in the UK – we’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since June 2004, we have made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9 billion to projects that have benefited millions of people. We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life. Website │Twitter │Facebook │Instagram