Good Causes is the charitable arm of the United Kingdom’s National Lottery. This year, it marked its 30th birthday. In that period, it has funded many projects across the country, including health, education, sports, and heritage. However, it has had a marked impact on the arts, particularly in Manchester and the wider North West. We recap some of its most vital projects in the article below.
Dance Syndrome
Created in 1994, the National Lottery has always had charity built into its core. Originally, it began with one game that used forty numbers. Players had to pick six and a bonus ball number, which had a sliding price scale depending on how many they matched.
Since then, it has added new games and even introduced scratch cards to the United Kingdom. These are now extremely popular, and citizens in the United Kingdom can even play online scratch cards through several well-known providers. These online scratch cards have all the elements of physical ones but have added elements such as animations. Some are even themed with well-known licences like Deal or No Deal.
One example of the great causes it has helped in this time has been the funding of Dance Syndrome. This organisation employs those with disabilities to deliver dance training, workshops, classes, and performances. It was set up by Jodie Turner, who refused to let her cerebral palsy and lack of verbal communication define her. Dance Syndrome became a charity in 2013 and is now on track to carry on delivering its services for another five years.
The Eurovision Song Contest
In 2023, just a short drive down the M62 in Liverpool, the Eurovision Song Contest took place. Once considered a kitsch, minor television event in the United Kingdom, it is now a huge spectacle that has grown beyond its original boundaries. The 2023 event was particularly poignant, as Liverpool hosted the contest on behalf of Ukraine.
It was the first time the city had hosted the showcase. To show off its rich musical heritage, the city was transformed with help from several Good Causes funds. Artworks were erected and installations were installed. All of this brought huge economic benefits, which had a ripple effect across the whole of the North West, including Manchester.
Leigh Film Society
Good Causes has been a lifeline to smaller communities in the Greater Manchester area. One of these is Leigh, where the Leigh Film Society endeavours to fight social isolation, create community cohesion, and provide opportunities for young people. It does this with a team of around 20 volunteers, who make the film accessible for everyone.
Their movies are screened from a variety of genres, from world cinema to classics. All of them are shown in a Grade II listed building that was made out of recycled materials by volunteers. Known as Spinners Mill, it opened in 2022 and was host to the Wigan and Leigh Film Festival. It also has regular afternoon cinema clubs for those with dementia.
Good Causes will continue to provide funding to those who need it. In 30 years, it has been a lifeline in the United Kingdom and will continue to be for some time.
