Waun Wen Leg Club wins Big Lottery grant
A pioneering service run by volunteers to treat people with leg problems in their own community has been awarded a Big Lottery grant.
The Waun Wen Lindsay Leg Club in Trebanog, Rhondda, will receive £8,700 to help to sustain the new service.
Andrew Owen, Big Lottery Head of Funding, said: “Receiving this award is a mark of quality of the work you are doing in your community.
“Congratulations on your grant and thank you for all that you do to support your community. We wish you every success.
“We are proud to support the good work you do, using funding raised by National Lottery players for good causes.”
The Big Lottery gives out more than £500m to charities, community and voluntary groups each year.
The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation supports leg clubs around the UK with the aim of providing community-based treatment, and care for people of all age groups who suffer with leg-related problems.
The first leg club in the Cwm Taf University Health Board area at Waun Wen Community Centre, is a prime example of a community initiative led by volunteers that helps people to stay well and support each other.
Instead of travelling to a hospital clinic for an appointment to have wounds cleaned and dressed, members of the club are able to go along to the community centre every Wednesday morning.
Nurses provide the treatment and advice but the club is run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers who organise fundraising events to pay for the room, refreshments and any other equipment that may be required.
Medical staff work to best-practice guidelines to provide the high standard of care in a social and friendly setting.
No appointments are required and the members can drop in to chat over a cup of tea or coffee while awaiting treatment.
It is hoped the service can be extended across other Cwm Taf health board communities
Secretary of the voluntary committee which runs the club Eleanor Johnson said: “Having this grant ensures and secures the future of the Leg Club and enables us to expand on what we can offer the community now and in the future.”
The Leg Club would welcome new volunteers with enthusiasm and energy to join them in helping to create a welcoming atmosphere.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Waun Wen Lindsay Leg Club, please contact Caitlin Jacob, Primary Care Development Manager at Caitlin.jacob@wales.nhs.uk
