Two west of Scotland groups supporting life changing community projects will get a New Year boost sharing over £1.6 million of life changing Lottery cash, thanks to the latest grants from the Big Lottery Fund announced yesterday (JANUARY 14).

With a focus on improving the lives of older people, today’s award of £502,151 to Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface will mean the area’s elderly citizens will benefit from a range of community interaction support services to enhance their lives. The 1000 Voices project will offer volunteer support, opportunities for social interaction, community transport and practical support at home to those aged over 65 to help those affected by rural isolation, loneliness and a lack of mobility.

Glenn Heritage, Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, said: “This is wonderful news - this Big Lottery Fund Scotland match fund allows us to improve and expand, and better serve Argyll’s older population.  It is especially important for the remote and rural areas where services are limited, or don’t exist and without volunteers, social connections would be near impossible. We are absolutely delighted.”
 
Focusing on people across the full spectrum of a local community in North Ayrshire, today’s award of £1,127,389 to Fullarton Community Association will result in a new Fullarton Community Hub being built on the site of the existing ageing centre in Irvine.

The project will include a designated youth club space, a training kitchen, community cafe, multi-purpose hall, community garden, games area, informal meeting areas and office space as well as housing a relocated doctor’s surgery and pharmacy. The new hub will benefit over 3,200 residents of the Fullarton and Harbourside areas of Irvine.

Donna Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of Fullarton Community Association, said: “This is amazing news. It has been eagerly awaited, and has given us all a tremendous boost. We now embrace 2016 knowing that the community hub will be built. The wider community are also delighted as this will be a much needed lifeline for the local residents – and gives us fresh hope for our next generation.”

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 the west of Scotland 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 improving the quality of life for older people or providing a much needed hub for a thriving community.”

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.