Two Renfrewshire groups supporting vulnerable local people will share nearly £1 million of life changing Lottery cash, thanks to the latest grants from the Big Lottery Fund announced today (NOVEMBER 4).

With a focus on improving the financial wellbeing of its tenants, today’s award of £585,846 toLinstone Housing Association’s Connect4Renfrewshire project will mean some of Renfrewshire’s most vulnerable residents will be able to make their hard earned cash stretch a bit further.

The project offers a range of specialist advice and support services including help with fuel poverty and debt issues. Linstone will work with two neighbouring housing associations – Bridgewater in Erskine and Williamsburg in Paisley – helping over 900 households for the next three years. The aim is to create a more joined-up and holistic approach to working with tenants to boost their finances before they have to make heat or eat choices.

Gary Dalziel, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Linstone Housing Association, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has acknowledged the benefits of this project and would like to thank them for recognising the value of Connect4Renfrewshire. The opportunity to continue to deliver a range of services including energy, benefits and money advice, furniture provision and financial literacy will provide much needed support and assistance to some of the most vulnerable in our communities. This award will directly bring significant improvements to people’s quality of life and finances throughout Renfrewshire.”

Focusing on helping children living in poverty, today’s award of £385,000 to Save the Children’s Families and Schools Together (FAST) programme means that over 400 disadvantaged families living in Renfrewshire will receive help and support to ensure their children get the best start in life.

The funding means that over the next three years the early intervention project aims to improve family relationships - and in turn children’s ability to learn - by building stronger bonds between parents, schools and communities. It encourages the wider family to play an active role in children’s education.

Neil Mathers, Head of Scotland, Save the Children Fund, said: “Save the Children UK is delighted to be working with the Big Lottery Fund and extremely grateful for its support of our Families and Schools Together (FAST) programme in Scotland. FAST brings parents, children, schools and the wider community together, to make sure children get the support they need to fulfil their potential at school – and in life. This partnership will positively impact hundreds of children’s lives across Renfrewshire strengthening learning at home and creating strong support networks for families.”

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “Our aim is to support people and communities in the greatest need. And today’s awards are excellent examples of how our funding helps bring about positive change for people facing challenging circumstances.

“In Renfrewshire these two projects will be able to assist some of the area’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable people. The funding announced today will be truly life changing - whether assisting children get the best from education or helping households who are struggling to cope financially.”

Big Lottery Fund Press Office contact: Colin Calder
Telephone: 0141 242 1484
Email: colin.calder@biglotteryfund.org.uk 
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGSCOTLAND #biglottery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland 

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery for good causes and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.