WIREDGOV

Plans to build two new multi-purpose community hubs for local people in Glasgow and the Highlands have today (FRIDAY 9 SEPTEMBER) been bolstered by a massive £2 million injection from the Big Lottery Fund.

In Netherholme, Castlemilk, Thenue Housing Association receives £995,838 to build a new community hub and youth centre while in Sutherland, the Embo Trust will use their £999,999 award to create a village hub that will house vital local services such as the village post office.

Upon hearing the news of their award, Lawrence McCabe, Community Regeneration Manager from Thenue Housing Association, said: “We are delighted with this award. Netherholm Youth and Community Centre will transform the lives of local people as it will bring support to an area that for many years has been denied any locally delivered services. The centre, along with new social housing, will bring a huge piece of derelict land back into productive use and create a focus for the area’s social and economic regeneration. The centre will prioritise the needs of children and young people through play, sport and learning but will be accessible to the whole community, including acting as a social space for people to meet, learn and celebrate together.”

Meanwhile in Sutherland, the Embo Trust will create local employment and volunteering opportunities by refurbishing the Embo Old School to create a village hub. Welcoming their award, Trust Chairman, Jim McGillivray, said: “We are overwhelmed by this news.  Trust Directors have put so much work into this, with massive support from the whole local and extended community, and Highland Council, so this is a dream come true. The new facility will provide a base for our volunteer-run community shop and post office, a community café, modern toilet services and an all-purpose function hall.  It will provide an essential centre to all village social and economic activity that has never been available before.”

The Big Lottery Fund is today announcing funding totalling £6,742,062 to 28 projects across Scotland. Find a complete list of grants here  Commenting on the £2 million to community asset projects, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “This investment from our Growing Community Assets fund is driven by the needs of local people. In Glasgow a new community hub will bring increased learning and volunteering opportunities for young people, while also contributing to regeneration of the local area.  In Sutherland a new village hub will safeguard important local services, such as the local post office, while also providing a range of social and recreational activities for the community. This is an exciting time for both organisations, and shows what can be achieved when local communities are encouraged to own and develop local assets.”

Also announced today are 11 Investing in Ideas awards, totalling £90,019, helping groups to develop a new idea that will benefit their community. See a full list of awards in your area

Big Lottery Fund Press Office contact: Landa Sullivan
Telephone: 0141 242 1458/07823 552889
Email:        landa.sullivan@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 and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focussed on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants schemes Awards for All and Investing in Ideas.
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded.