Changing lives

An anti-racism campaigner banished his personal troubles after taking a painful journey into the past to highlight the role of slavery at British visitor attractions.

Thanks to a National Lottery-supported heritage construction programme, Ameha has swapped odd jobs for learning new skills, helping to restore historic buildings - and winning a coveted award.

After a difficult childhood, a National Lottery-funded project helped Jade find the confidence to enrol at college. Here's her story.

The UK’s first female bodyguard, Jacquie Davis’ career has spanned everything from protecting oligarchs to rescuing hostages. But one year ago, she took on a rather more peaceful job at National Lottery-funded Walthamstow Wetlands…

Rachel established a National Lottery funded project at National Trust’s Croome to help children like her son to connect with the outdoors.

A National Lottery-funded project in her hometown of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, helped Angela get her sparkle back.

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

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.

Writer Lizzie Guntrip explains how regular visits to RSPB Minsmere have helped her manage the symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

When Danielle Pointon was a football-mad teenager she had no idea that legions of Roman soldiers had once camped on the very spot where she was now playing for her school team.

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.

After 20 years of drink and drug addiction, Sean turned his life around at a rehabilitation centre. Years later, he returned to help others on the road to recovery.

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

After being diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, Nick struggled to put his 20 years of experience in agriculture to use. Tatton Park Farm’s Field to Fork project has allowed him to share his skills.

Progressive health problems reduced Rachel Johnson’s mobility, restricting her access to her and her husband’s favourite destination, Lundy Island. Now, National Lottery funding has helped her bring a ‘tramper’ to the island so she can explore again.

Darren Russell secured his dream job working in his local parks thanks to a National Lottery-funded traineeship with London Wildlife Trust. He tells us how Lottery funding changed his life.

Danielle Shortall loved growing up in Northern Ireland, and had always dreamed of a career in conservation. Training helped her - finally - get the job she always wanted.

Johnson-John Baptiste worked in Nottinghamshire mines for 26 years. A National Lottery-funded project helped him to reunite with his former colleagues and celebrate his achievements.

Back in 1995, 28-year-old Neil Clements was near to completing a demanding course to be a Royal Navy Parachute Instructor. Then in a split second his life changed forever.

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

Keeley Hampton worked in finance for 20 years, but after experiencing redundancy, divorce and depression, she decided to ditch city life and pursue her dream job of working in the Wiltshire countryside.

A chance encounter with a National Lottery project commemorating the First World War centenary gave Linda a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pay a special tribute to her great-grandfather.