National Lottery Fund announces grant for the Meet & Eat Programme
source:
Catalyst/Clive Coley
published: 26 October 2025
We are incredibly delighted to announce that the Mentoring, Advocacy and Support Hub (MASH) Meet & Eat programme has been awarded a grant of £19,987 from The National Lottery Community Fund, through its Supporting Communities Programme.
This funding will be instrumental in supporting our critical and ongoing work with African and Caribbean men and women in Birmingham and Solihull who have lived experience of mental health.
The MASH Meet & Eat sessions, which previously ran from 2017 to 2019, were extremely popular, but had to be discontinued due to a lack of funding resources. These sessions provide low cost but impactful social engagement through a social meal. We are excited to bring these informal sessions back to help reduce isolation. Participants will also be signposted to relevant support networks, and an opportunity to have a social meal in a relaxed atmosphere with friends and support staff.
The Lottery Funding will also support the broader MASH Programme by covering sessional staffing costs, and various events over the next two years. This includes offering specific support to participants towards the meal cost, and travel expenses for those facing financial hardship barriers
About The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)
The NLCF distributes over £600m annually across the UK United Kingdom. The Community Fund award money is raised by Lottery players to fund and support initiatives that help communities thrive, with a focus on community projects that connect people, foster growth, growth and build a better future.
The NLCF specifically supports individuals facing, poverty, disadvantage, or discrimination. By 2030 the NLCF aims to share over £4billion to create stronger, fairer communities across the UK. You can learn more by visiting the NLCF website here. Visit the NLCF website here >
The MASH Plan
MASH has an ambitious development plan, and several new initiatives will be rolled out over the next 2+ years. We are actively seeking funding to re-start the MASH services as outlined in our community development programme. This includes leadership development, easy access to culturally appropriate community services, a social value model and various social activities.
The MASH social activities connect people together through our Meet & Eat sessions and others which offers structured activities in the form, of guests’ and motivational speakers.
We plan to run the Meet & Eat sessions monthly which will be supported by a dedicated project worker at each session.
See full details here >
What can you do?
Further information will be provided shortly about the MASH Meet & Eat sessions, including details about how you can get involved and support this initiative.
For more information, please contact Clive Coley (Projects & Development Manager)
Mobile: 07599 295 265 or Voice Messages: 0844 884 3133.
Email: clive.coley@catalyst4change.org.uk
