How Riverside Community Centre Won £85,000 from National Lottery Community Fund
When Riverside Community Centre in Oldham faced closure due to rising costs and dwindling funds, they turned to the National Lottery Community Fund. Here's the complete story of how they secured £85,000 and transformed their community—with lessons you can apply to your own applications.
Success Snapshot:
Grant Details:
- • Fund: Community Fund (over £10k)
- • Amount awarded: £85,000
- • Project duration: 3 years
- • Application to decision: 16 weeks
Community Impact:
- • 347 regular users (up from 89)
- • 12 new programmes launched
- • £2.4M wider economic benefit
- • 15 jobs created/sustained
Sarah Johnson still remembers the phone call. After months of preparation, sleepless nights, and what felt like endless paperwork, the voice on the other end was delivering life-changing news: Riverside Community Centre had been awarded £85,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
"I actually asked them to repeat it," Sarah laughs, recalling that Friday afternoon in March 2024. "I thought I'd misheard. We'd been running on fumes for months, and suddenly we had not just funding, but a real chance to transform what we could offer our community."
Riverside's success story offers invaluable lessons for any organisation considering a National Lottery Community Fund application. This isn't just about what they did right—it's about the strategic thinking, community engagement, and evidence gathering that separated their application from the 60% that get rejected.
The Challenge: A Community Centre in Crisis
Located in the Westwood area of Oldham, Riverside Community Centre had been serving local families for over 20 years. But by early 2024, the organisation was facing an existential crisis.
The Perfect Storm
Financial Pressures:
- • 40% increase in energy costs over 18 months
- • Building repairs backlog of £23,000
- • Reduced room hire income due to cost-of-living pressures
- • End of COVID recovery grants
- • Just 6 weeks operating reserves remaining
Community Needs:
- • 34% of local families in fuel poverty
- • Limited affordable childcare options
- • High levels of social isolation among older residents
- • Youth anti-social behaviour concerns
- • Mental health support waiting lists over 6 months
"We were caught between increasing demand for our services and decreasing ability to provide them. Families were coming to us saying 'you're our last hope' – and we were running out of options ourselves."
— Sarah Johnson, Centre Manager
The Turning Point Decision
In January 2024, the board faced a stark choice: close the centre or find significant funding within six months. That's when trustee Marcus Williams suggested applying to the National Lottery Community Fund.
"We'd always assumed the Lottery was for bigger organisations," Sarah explains. "But Marcus had done his research and showed us examples of similar community centres that had received substantial grants. It was our best—and maybe only—shot."
The Strategy: Community-Led Evidence Gathering
Rather than rushing into application writing, Riverside spent six weeks building the evidence base that would make their case compelling.
Understanding the Funder
Sarah and her team started by thoroughly researching the National Lottery Community Fund's priorities and recent awards in their area.
Research Findings:
- • NLCF prioritised community-led projects addressing multiple issues
- • Successful applications demonstrated strong community voice and involvement
- • Funders valued innovation in addressing traditional problems
- • Evidence of collaboration with other local organisations was crucial
- • Sustainability planning beyond the grant period was essential
Community Consultation Process
Instead of assuming they knew what the community needed, Riverside launched a comprehensive consultation process that became central to their application's success.
Door-to-Door Surveys
Volunteers conducted 200+ household surveys within a half-mile radius, asking about needs, barriers, and ideas for community provision.
- • 67% response rate achieved
- • Surveys translated into 4 local languages
- • Evening and weekend availability to reach working families
- • Children's activity packs to engage while parents completed surveys
Focus Groups
Six targeted focus groups with different community segments provided deeper insights into needs and preferences.
- • Young parents (ages 25-35)
- • Older residents (65+)
- • Young people (16-25)
- • Black and minority ethnic community members
- • People with disabilities and long-term conditions
- • Local business owners and employers
Community Mapping Sessions
Interactive sessions where residents mapped community assets, gaps, and connections.
- • Identified untapped skills and resources within the community
- • Revealed natural support networks and informal community leaders
- • Highlighted geographic and transport barriers
- • Produced detailed local asset map used throughout application
Data and Evidence Collection
Riverside complemented community consultation with robust data gathering to create a compelling evidence base.
| Evidence Type | Source | Key Findings | Application Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic Data | ONS Census, Local Authority | 42% households with children under 16, 28% single-parent families | Justified childcare focus |
| Health Data | Public Health England, NHS | Mental health referrals up 67% in 3 years | Evidence for wellbeing programmes |
| Economic Data | DWP, Oldham Council | 34% households claiming benefits, unemployment 12% | Need for employment support |
| Service Mapping | Local service providers | Nearest family support 2.3 miles away | Geographic service gap |
The Application: Turning Evidence into Narrative
With comprehensive evidence gathered, Riverside's challenge was weaving it into a compelling application that spoke directly to NLCF priorities.
Project Design: "Westwood Together"
Rather than proposing disconnected activities, Riverside designed an integrated programme addressing multiple community needs through four interconnected strands.
Family Support Hub
- • Drop-in childcare (15 hours/week)
- • Parenting support groups
- • Family learning workshops
- • Holiday activities programme
- • Benefits and debt advice
Community Wellbeing
- • Men's mental health group
- • Women's wellness sessions
- • Older people's social club
- • Community gardening project
- • Peer support training
Skills and Employment
- • Digital skills workshops
- • CV and interview preparation
- • Basic education classes
- • Work experience placements
- • Enterprise development support
Youth Engagement
- • After-school youth club
- • Youth leadership programme
- • Community volunteering projects
- • Arts and media workshops
- • Mentoring and counseling
The Winning Application Structure
Riverside's application succeeded because it answered NLCF's key questions with specific, evidence-backed responses.
Section 1: Community Need
Opening paragraph example:
"In the Westwood area of Oldham, 73% of residents told us they feel isolated from their community, and 89% of families with children under 16 said they struggle to access affordable childcare and family support. Our door-to-door survey of 200 households revealed that while 67% want to be more involved in community life, 78% don't know where to access local services and support."
Section 2: Community Voice
Direct quotes used throughout:
"There's nowhere for my kids to go after school—I worry about them getting into trouble." —Local parent
"I'd love to learn computer skills but the courses are all in the town centre and I can't afford the bus fare twice a week." —Unemployed resident
"Since my husband died, I go days without speaking to anyone. If there was somewhere to meet people my age locally, I'd definitely go." —Older resident
Section 3: Solution and Innovation
Innovation framing:
"Rather than delivering separate services for different age groups, Westwood Together creates intentional intergenerational connections. Our older residents become reading mentors for children, young people support digital skills sessions for adults, and families share resources through our community exchange system."
Outcomes Framework and Measurement
NLCF required clear, measurable outcomes. Riverside developed a framework that balanced quantitative targets with qualitative impact indicators.
| Outcome | Target | Measurement Method | Success Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased community connection | 300+ residents regularly engaged | Attendance tracking, annual survey | 75% report feeling "more connected" |
| Improved family support | 80 families accessing services | Service records, family feedback | 60% report reduced parenting stress |
| Enhanced employment prospects | 40 people gaining new qualifications | Certification tracking, job outcomes | 25 people into employment/training |
| Youth positive activities | 60 young people regularly participating | Attendance, police ASB data | 50% reduction in local ASB reports |
The Critical Success Factors
Looking back, Sarah identifies five elements that were crucial to Riverside's success—lessons that any organisation can apply.
1. Authentic Community Engagement
"We didn't ask the community what they thought of our ideas—we asked them what their ideas were. That shift in approach completely changed the quality of our application and the relevance of our project."
— Sarah Johnson
2. Evidence-Based Need Demonstration
Riverside didn't rely on assumptions or general statistics. They gathered specific, local evidence that painted a clear picture of community need and their unique position to address it.
3. Integrated Service Design
Instead of proposing isolated activities, they designed an interconnected programme where different elements reinforced each other and created multiple pathways for community engagement.
4. Realistic Financial Planning
Budget Breakdown Strategy:
- • Staff costs (68%): Detailed job descriptions, realistic salary levels including on-costs
- • Programme delivery (22%): Specific costs for materials, equipment, venue hire
- • Evaluation and monitoring (5%): External evaluation support and data collection systems
- • Administration (5%): Phone, internet, insurance, basic office costs
5. Sustainability and Legacy Planning
From the outset, Riverside demonstrated how the project would continue beyond the grant period and what systems would remain in place.
Immediate Sustainability:
- • Gradual introduction of small service charges
- • Development of volunteer workforce
- • Room hire income from improved facilities
- • Grant income diversification strategy
Long-term Legacy:
- • Community members trained as peer supporters
- • Established networks and partnerships
- • Improved community infrastructure and assets
- • Enhanced organisational capacity and reputation
The Results: Transformation in Action
Eighteen months into the project, the impact on Westwood has exceeded even Riverside's ambitious projections.
By the Numbers
Regular Users
(target: 300)
Into Employment
(target: 25)
Reduced ASB
(target: 50%)
Economic Benefit
(calculated social return)
Unexpected Outcomes
Beyond the planned impacts, Riverside has seen several unexpected positive developments that have strengthened their case for future funding.
Community Leadership Development
Twelve community members have taken on formal volunteer leadership roles, with three joining the centre's board of trustees.
Local Business Engagement
Eight local businesses now provide work experience placements, mentoring, and in-kind support, creating a sustainable local network.
Spin-off Initiatives
Community members have launched three independent projects: a food sharing network, a community choir, and a residents' association.
Lessons for Your Application
Riverside's success offers practical lessons that any organisation can apply to strengthen their National Lottery Community Fund application.
Before You Start Writing
Invest Time in Community Engagement
Spend at least 6-8 weeks genuinely consulting with your community. This isn't just about gathering quotes—it's about understanding needs, assets, and priorities from community perspective.
Gather Multiple Types of Evidence
Combine quantitative data (statistics, surveys) with qualitative evidence (stories, quotes, case studies). Both are essential for a compelling case.
Design Integrated Solutions
Don't just list activities—show how different elements connect and reinforce each other to create comprehensive community benefit.
Writing and Presentation Tips
✅ What Worked for Riverside:
- • Starting each section with community voice
- • Using specific local data and examples
- • Showing clear progression from need to solution to impact
- • Including realistic timelines and milestones
- • Demonstrating partnership and collaboration
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- • Generic statements about community need
- • Unrealistic outcome targets or timelines
- • Budgets that don't add up or lack detail
- • No evidence of community support or involvement
- • Weak or absent sustainability planning
What's Next for Riverside
As the grant period progresses, Riverside is already planning for sustainability and considering their next funding applications.
Future Funding Strategy:
- • Diversifying income streams through social enterprise activities
- • Applying for specialist funding for mental health and employment programmes
- • Exploring community asset ownership opportunities
- • Developing corporate partnerships and individual giving programmes
- • Considering expansion to serve neighbouring communities
"The National Lottery grant didn't just fund our project—it transformed how we think about ourselves and our role in the community. We've gone from barely surviving to being confident about our future and our impact."
— Sarah Johnson, 18 months later
Apply Riverside's Success Formula
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Key Takeaways
Riverside's Success Formula:
- Genuine community engagement produces authentic evidence and strong applications
- Integrated service design showing connections between activities strengthens impact case
- Specific local data combined with community voices creates compelling need demonstration
- Realistic budgeting and clear sustainability planning build funder confidence
- Measurable outcomes with both quantitative and qualitative indicators demonstrate accountability
Riverside Community Centre's journey from near-closure to thriving community hub demonstrates what's possible with strategic thinking, genuine community engagement, and a well-crafted application. Their success wasn't just about meeting NLCF criteria—it was about understanding and addressing real community needs in ways that create lasting change.