WIREDGOV

Vulnerable older people, young carers and people facing barriers to work are amongst thousands of Scots to to benefit from the latest Big Lottery Fund awards announced recently.

Across the country 11 Scottish groups are sharing in £6,559,118 from the Fund’s Investing in Communities programme.

A full list of grants to be awarded is available here

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “Investing in Communities funding helps people and communities most in need. Today we are awarding £6,599,118 that will make a positive impact, helping to change lives and support 11 community projects to grow and expand across the country. Among those benefitting are: hidden young carers, people who are unemployed and facing barriers to work, and vulnerable older people.  This is life changing money and will make a big difference where it is needed most.”

Groups that received funding recently are:

Albyn Housing Society Limited
£857,950
This project will provide financial advice to 2,500 tenants living in rural areas. It will work in partnership with Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, Lochaber Housing Association, Cairn Housing Association and Pentland Housing Association.

Cothrom Limited    
£503,635
This project will grow and diversify the organisation 'ReStore' training service and social enterprise on South Uist. ReStore delivers training and personal development through local community recycling and reuse activities.

CSV  
£343,682
This project will support vulnerable and isolated elderly people living in the Forth Valley helping them maintain their independence in their home. Volunteers will provide a handyman service, a health and safety DIY house check, befriending and support in attending social events. 

DEAP Limited   
£548,494
This project will provide practical and emotional support to care experienced young people, aged between 15 and 25, living in Dundee. It will offer a range of activities aimed at helping them to live independently while improving their chances of gaining employment or continuing in education.

DEAP Limited          
£457,874  
This project delivered in Arbroath, Brechin, Montrose and Forfar will address barriers to effective job seeking and entering employment. The project will provide support to improve job seeking skills including training for online job seeking, taster placements and job brokering.                        

The Ecology Centre
£920,849
This group will be able to relocate their existing centre to a new sustainable building.  Once complete the centre will continue to provide much needed education space, meeting rooms and office space for local organisations.

ENABLE Scotland        
£309,939
This project will support children who are yet to receive a diagnosis for their condition, or who have recently been diagnosed. The project will also support families to adjust and develop ways of coping and come to terms with a diagnosis.

Fife Young Carers
£531,721
This project will support young carers to cope with the demands of their school work and their caring role. It will also help them to make positive choices about their futures when they leave school.

The Machan Trust 
£481,127  
This project will provide breakfast clubs and an after school/weekend play and sports activity programmes for children aged five to nine. Families will also benefit from healthy eating workshops.

North Glasgow Housing Association Ltd              
£857,033
This project, run in partnership with Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project, will improve financial skills, develop knowledge of key financial products, and provide participants with a personal financial plan. Group sessions will focus on topics such as welfare reform, budgeting, and affordable credit.

Sacro  
£786,814
This project will bring together a team from Sacro, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equalities Council and Multi-Cultural Family Base to support black and ethnic minority families in Edinburgh to overcome problems arising from honour abuse.

Recently we are also announcing £107,763 of grants to 13 projects, across Scotland, from Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Investing in Ideas programme. A full list of grants is available here (LINK)

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1458
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.