Two Edinburgh-based groups supporting life changing community projects will get a New Year boost sharing over £640,000 of life changing Lottery cash, thanks to the latest grants from the Big Lottery Fund announced today (JANUARY 14).

With a focus on helping reduce social isolation amongst older people, today’s award of£383,229 to The Living Memory Association based in Leith, Edinburgh will help develop and expand its Little Shop of Memory project – based at a drop-in centre at Ocean Terminal in Leith. The reminiscence work aims to help the elderly lead independent lives by offering sessions including creating life storybooks and activities for people with dementia.
    
Heather Robertson, Secretary of The Living Memory Association, said: “"We are absolutely delighted with the news of our grant. It will be a great boost to our work at The Little Shop of Memory. It is always a privilege to listen to older people's memories and this grant will help us reach and involve many more older people, celebrating their lives and recording their memories for the future. The grant will help us create many more
exhibitions for others to enjoy at Ocean Terminal shopping centre."
 
Citadel Youth Centre receives an award of £259,101 to fund its Citadel families Project in Leith. The money will fund a three-year continuation of its holistic community based support for families and children aged 5-12 who are referred to the project as being at risk at home, at school or in the community. The centre aims to support around 100 families of disadvantaged children and young people with issues affecting their development such as autistic spectrum disorders.

Willy Barr, Manager of Citadel Youth Centre, said: “This funding is great news. The Citadel’s always been known as a safe place for kids to play and learn. Now we’ll be able to offer more help to kids who need it, and provide support and activities for parents too. This will make a huge difference to families in Leith.”

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 Edinburgh 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 helping to reduce the social isolation of older people or offering support for children deemed to be at risk.”

Big Lottery Fund Press Office contact: Colin Calder
Telephone: 0141 242 1484
Email: colin.calder@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Website: ww.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.