Descripción de UK360 Melissa Porter 27/12/11:

For more information about the show and how you can get involved: http://communitychannel.mediatrust.org/uk360 UK360 is a television magazine show that brings you inspiring local stories about communities that are making a real difference at a grass roots level. This UK360 programme is a National Lottery Awards special, celebrating some of the inspirational finalists at this year's ceremony. Since 2004, the Big Lottery fund has awarded over 4.4 billion pounds to community groups around the UK. UK360 highlights the difference that this funding can make to the lives of many. To find out more about this year's awards, visit the following website: http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards Hands That Talk won this year's award for Best Charity or Voluntary project. We find out how this organisation based in Derry, Northern Ireland, has improved the welfare of the local deaf community. Find out more about Hands That Talk here: http://www.handsthattalk.co.uk The winner of this year's Best Environmental Project went to the Green Valley Project in Bryncynon, Wales. We see how lottery funding has aided the creation of a community garden to be used by local citizens. For more information on this great organization, visit their website: http://www.bryncynonstrategy.org.uk/environment One runner-up in this year's Best Health Project category was Yorkshire-based Altogether Better. Watch the programme to witness the effect that the 'community health champions' have had in transforming the lives of local citizens. Visit http://www.altogetherbetter.org.uk to find out more about this project. Brighter Futures, a project helping the disabled and disadvantaged learn useful skills by recycling mobility equipment, was a runner-up in this year's Best Envrionmental Project award. You can find out more about Brighter futures by visiting their website at http://www.bfworkshop.co.uk In part two, UK360 promotes the great work of Oasis Domestic Abuse Service, a runner-up in this year's Best Charity or Voluntary Project category. By offering safety and housing for victims of domestic abuse, this organisation provides a life-changing difference to those in need of support. For more information on the work of this organisation, please visit their website: http://www.oasiswomensrefuge.org The Community Horticultural Enterprise, Northern Ireland, provides workshops, training and classes in environmental awareness for local people most in need. Runner-up for this year's Best Education Project award, we hear from the Derry-based organisation on why lottery funding has been so crucial to their development. Visit the Volunteer section of Community Channel's website for information on how you can get involved in your local community: http://www.communitychannel.mediatrust.org/volunteer Surf Action, a charity that provides surfing lessons for injured armed service personnel, was a runner up for the Best Health Project award. UK360 sees how this fantastic organisation regains the confidence of its members. For more information onSurf Action, visit their website: http://www.surfaction.co.uk Motherwell's Windmills Café helps young people with learning differences find their feet in the workplace. This year they were awarded a runner-up position in the Best Education category. UK360 witnesses all their constructive efforts. For regular updates, you can 'Like' Windmills Café on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Windmills-Cafe It's really easy to volunteer in your local area. Just visit the volunteer section of Community Channel's website and enter your postcode: http://www.communitychannel.mediatrust.org/volunteer.