WIREDGOV

Vital support for families across Scotland living with domestic abuse will continue thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund announced today (WEDNESDAY 20 JULY). Five projects from Perth and Kinross to Renfrewshire receive a total of £2.3m.

Today’s award of £285,324 to East Dunbartonshire Association for Mental Health means they will be able to continue to run their CEDAR (children experiencing domestic abuse recovery) project for another three years. The CEDAR approach is a unique way of working with mothers and children, helping them to recover from domestic abuse by finding a safe place while they deal with their experiences and begin to rebuild their lives.

Dianne Devin, Manager, said, “Wow! We are absolutely delighted at the news of three years further funding! We will now be able to continue to provide a family-led, peer-based and therapeutic journey of recovery for children and their mothers recovering from the effects of domestic abuse in East Dunbartonshire. Local families will receive a holistic, multi-levelled service which will improve the child, and their mother’s, mental health and offer access and engagement in education and employment opportunities alongside recovering from the trauma of domestic abuses. This will no doubt provide transformational, meaningful and long lasting change for children and their mothers in our area. We are all so thankful to the Big Lottery fund for their continued and incredible support.”

An award of £518,881 to Perthshire Women’s Aid means that they can build on their existing CEDAR model, funded by Big Lottery Fund in 2012, as well as developing the vital support they already offer to families throughout the region.

Joan Maclean, Manager, said, “We are absolutely delighted to receive continuation of our funding from the Big Lottery Fund for another five years for our highly regarded CEDAR project. This is because of the real and exceptionally positive difference it makes to families lives following the aftermath of domestic abuse.

“We will be able to continue to support families to re-connect and build healthier relationships, allowing them to move on from the impact of abuse.  This long term funding will also allow us to share our knowledge of domestic abuse throughout schools and with professionals.”

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said, “This funding will provide continued support for women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse to help them to rebuild their lives. We know women who have been abused at home can experience further emotional and physical problems.  If effective support and help can be provided at an early stage, then they, and their children, have a better chance of a positive long term future. Each of these five projects are making a real difference to people’s lives at time when they need it the most.”

Other projects receiving funding today are:-

Renfrewshire Council
£788,987
This project will, over a five year period, continue to provide a range of group based support services to approximately 730 women and children affected by gender based violence.

West Dunbartonshire Council
£388,253
This project, funded over three years, will continue to develop new therapeutic activities and provide a range of services for all primary care givers who are supporting the needs of children and young people affected by domestic abuse.

Women's Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire
£410,699
This three year project will continue the successful CEDAR programme running in South Lanarkshire and will help establish a new CEDAR programme in East Renfrewshire.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office contact: Lorna McNiven
Telephone: 0141 242 1451
Email: lorna.mcniven@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 and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focussed on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants schemes Awards for All and Investing in Ideas.
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £9 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded.
• * British Sign Language (Scotland) Act (2015) * - National Deaf Children’s Society and BDA are both members of Deaf Sector Partnership which works with the Scottish Government on the implementation of the BSL (Scotland) act. This legislation aims are to raise awareness of BSL and improve access to services for those using the language.