WIREDGOV

Children and families across Scotland are yesterday celebrated a share of £146,392 from the Communities and Families fund, an initiative supported by the Scottish Government and Big Lottery Fund.

A full list of the awards is available here

Announcing the awards, Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee, said: “The Communities and Families Fund helps projects give Scotland’s future generations a good start in life. I’m delighted to announce funding for today’s wide ranging initiatives which will develop children’s social skills and learning abilities and also help parents develop new skills and confidence. We’re keen to hear from other groups across the country which could benefit from this funding. Full details of our simple application process can be found on our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland.”

In Aberdeen, Choices Aberdeen will use their award of £9,972 to run a series of cookery classes for young mums in the area.   The mothers will learn new cooking skills and be shown how to prepare healthy, nutritious meals for their families.  At the end of the project the group will publish a cookery book full of all the recipes used and the new dishes which have been created.

Kinglassie Kiddies, based near Glenrothes run a busy baby and toddler group from the community hall in the centre of the village. Thanks to an award of £6,936, they will be able to buy a range of new equipment and design and paint a special nursery mural to brighten the inside of the building.

Home Start Angus will deliver their “Bumps and Beyond” project which will provide support and guidance to vulnerable families throughout the region with babies of up to a year old.  The award of £8,540 means they will be able to allocate a volunteer to each family who will spend two to three hours every week visiting them at home to help with any concerns or issues they may have. 

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Families, said: “I am delighted to see the wide range of projects the Communities and Families Fund supports and the latest projects to receive funding.  I want Scotland to be the best place to grow up and our joint venture with the Big Lottery Fund aims to help families and communities flourish by supporting local projects that can make a big impact on improving the lives of children and families.”

The Communities and Families Fund has a budget of £4.5 million from The Scottish Government and £1.5 million from the Big Lottery Fund. Groups can apply for funding from £250 to £10,000. Find out more about the scheme and how to apply by visitingwww.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_communities_and_families_fund, or phoning 0300 1237110.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1451
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 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded.