The Scottish Government and Big Lottery Fund yesterday announced the latest grants from their Communities and Families Fund aimed at giving Scotland’s children the best start in life.

Across the country 19 community led projects are sharing in £128,536 from the small grants scheme which aims to improve the lives of children who are eight years and under

Young parents from Dundee are to benefit from a grant of £10,000 which will allow Pure Media UK to expand and develop its Bringing up Baby project. The project, which is run and delivered by young parents, uses creative play to build bonds between parent and child. The group will now be able to offer a range of new and additional classes including family support groups, parents to be workshops and father and child activity days.

Chika Inatimi, Project Leader, Pure Media UK said: “This is fantastic news. This award from Communities and Families will give our volunteers confidence and give space for our parents and their children to grow. We are very excited about being able to put all our plans into action. Thank you!”

The Scottish Borders will be bursting with surprise activities this summer as The St Ronan’s Youth and Community Centre receive an award of £2,905 to host a number of fun activities from animation and cookery through to dancing and football.  

Fiona Williams, Secretary, St Ronan’s Youth and community centre, said: “We're absolutely delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.  Thanks to this we have the resource to provide a really fantastic summer programme for children in our area. This means giving them opportunities to try a whole range of musical, craft, science, nature and sporting activities which they otherwise wouldn't have had access to.  Thank you Big Lottery Fund!”

Meanwhile Glasgow Sculpture Studios Ltd receives an award of £4,000 to help children and their parents explore their creative side by taking part in a series of art and sculpture workshops. Joining them is The Unicorn Preservation Society which will host a range of events encouraging young children and families onto the Dundee based ship to learn about its history.

Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee, said yesterday: “Today’s Communities and Families awards give an insight into the wide range of inspiring projects which are  improving the lives of children across the country.  They include initiatives bringing families together through creative art; and others supporting young parents to volunteer in their communities.  We’re keen to hear from other groups across the country which could also benefit from this funding. Full details of our simple application process can be found on our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland or why not call us on 0300 123 7100 to discuss your idea.”

Fiona McLeod, Acting Minister for Children and Young People says: “Since its launch in 2012, the Communities and Families Fund has funded a wide range of activities to support children and families across Scotland. This joint venture with the Big Lottery Fund has been a resounding success by providing resources for groups working directly with children and families in communities. The Fund is now in its last year so I would encourage community groups to take this opportunity to apply for funding.” 

A list of all Communities and Families projects receiving funding yesterday is available here

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1484
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGScotland #biglf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Notes to editors

• The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
• The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
• In the year ending