Changing lives

Right in the centre of Bristol, next to the busy bus station, is the city’s oldest building, the 900-year-old National Lottery-funded St James Priory Church. On the same site is St James House, a residential support centre for people recovering from addiction. Both are run by St James House Project

Tilly the dog helps Tom Jenkin tackle his anxiety. But it was a National Lottery-funded lambing course which gave him the confidence to aim for a career as a vet.

The youth club at the Galley Centre offered the young people of Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, a reason to keep off the streets and out of trouble. But when bored teenagers, including some of 17-year-old Ben's friends, vandalised the centre, the youth club was closed down. It left them with nothing to do

In her 22 years, Jade has experienced more hardship than most people encounter in a lifetime. Born to a heroin addict mother, Jade spent most of her childhood in the care system. Asked about the happy times in her childhood, Jade is unequivocal: the years living with her grandma in Trimdon village.

A project examining Richard Burton’s diaries gave young people in Port Talbot pride in Wales, in their town, and in themselves.

For Morgan Taylor, the First World War was just a part of the distant past, until a Scout group heritage project brought it much closer to home

After working 34 years in the same factory, Angela found the confidence to start her own business thanks to an HLF-supported project at Cyfarthfa Castle.

The Robinson brothers had never visited nearby Auckland Castle until an HLF-supported project saw them step through its doors for the first time.

When Elinor Meloy started wildlife spotting with her grandmother at her local wetland reserve, little did she know it would later spark a passion for pollinators.

A fascination with birds of prey has proved a life changer for 51-year-old Tracy Norris. The Hampshire GP was so enthralled with the ospreys nesting at a Welsh nature reserve that she has moved home and job to be near them.

Owen Mort started his own business using an ancient craft after support from HLF's Skills for the Future programme.