A North Devon charity, Sunrise Diversity, has been awarded £499,980 over five years from the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) to continue providing English language lessons and community support. The funding will allow the charity to maintain its inclusive services and recruit four new team members, strengthening its outreach and support programmes.
Ana Lodge, CEO of Sunrise Diversity, described the funding as a “game changer,” providing the charity with financial security and the confidence to expand its team and services. She highlighted the challenging financial climate faced by many charities in recent years and expressed gratitude to the National Lottery for recognizing the charity’s potential and impact.
The charity has helped newcomers to Devon, offering both language lessons and broader support. Olga Vynnyk, who arrived from Ukraine three years ago, described Sunrise Diversity as a safe and welcoming place where people feel understood. Another beneficiary, Manisha, who came to the UK on a work sponsor visa, praised the charity for supporting her with housing and essential services during her transition to life in Devon.
Lodge emphasized that the experiences of people like Olga and Manisha underscore the importance of the charity’s work and the difference it makes in the community, reinforcing the need to continue its mission of supporting diverse individuals in Devon.
