Two Ayrshire groups will share in over £660k of life changing Lottery cash, thanks to the latest grants from the Big Lottery Fund announced yesterday (NOVEMBER 4).

An award of £373,633 to Aberlour Child Care Trust will help vulnerable families stay together as the Trust will be able to continue to provide valuable support to parents with learning disabilities who are struggling to cope with life at home.  The Aberlour Family Service South Ayrshire Project will work with up to 60 families from across the region offering a wide range of intensive support and advice at a time when it’s needed the most.

Alexa Duff, Service Manager Aberlour Family Service South Ayrshire, said, “We understand that parenting can be difficult for many reasons and, for an adult with a learning disability, it can come with a number of challenges.  Through working in group settings and on a one to one basis, our team provides the help and support that’s often needed to help mums and dads fulfil their potential as parents.

“This service will prevent children from being taken into care, by giving the parents the help they need to create safe, healthy and happy environments for children to grow up in.  This award will allow us to reach an increased number of families across South Ayrshire over the next two years. The children will benefit from growing up in safe and nurturing environments and help them to become more confident and successful learners.  Meanwhile, their parents will be able to meet their child’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual development and wellbeing needs.”

An award of £286,400 to S.I.S.G. Enterprises Ltd means they can continue to support almost 800 older people from across Ayrshire living with acquired sensory loss for another three years.  As well as offering a wide range of advice and activities, staff will be on hand to teach simple coping and communication strategies designed to increase confidence and help reduce anxiety and frustration. 

Denise McClung, Project Manager S.I.S.G. Enterprises, said, “We are absolutely delighted and very grateful to be able to expand our existing services and develop new services which will enhance support across North, South and East Ayrshire for older people living with acquired sensory loss, hearing loss, sight loss or dual sensory loss.

“The funding for this new project will help make a huge difference to our client group, improving participation and helping older people cope better with their condition.”

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

“Aberlour Child Care Trust will be able to continue their vital work with vulnerable families which will  help prevent children being taken into care and will also provide parents with the skills and knowledge to help strengthen their family unit.   Hundreds of older people across the region living with acquired sensory loss will be given the support from S.I.S.G Enterprises to be as independent as possible whilst remaining in the comfort of their own homes.”

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 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 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.