WIREDGOV

Youngsters across Scotland will make new connections with older people in their families and communities thanks to projects sharing in £383,272 of dormant banks and building society cash from the Young Start fund.

Alzheimer Scotland will be able to continue their successful befriending project after an award of £45,820. The “Forget me Not” project matches young volunteers with older people with dementia in care homes across Glasgow and West Lothian.

Sian Hunter, Volunteer Co-ordinator, said, “I know that this project has made a significant difference to both the young people and the older people that they are matched with. The students have gained so much from their visits and it’s really helped with their understanding of dementia.

“When they are given the opportunity young people can make a significant contribution to people living with dementia through genuine interest in that person, natural respect, patience and being a good listener.

“The project will be able to continue for another year thanks to Young Start, something we are all really thankful for. We are all looking forward to another year of laughter, smiles, companionship and, most importantly, understanding.”

An innovative project will use the centenary of World War 1 as a way of bringing different generations together thanks to an award of £50,000 to Character Education Scotland.

The group will work with 1,000 young people across the country who will team up with a grandparent or other older relative. Their research might be triggered by an inspirational quote, figure, poem or painting from the period which engages or inspires them to find out more.

Ronnie Davidson, Chief Executive, said, “We are delighted to be able to put out plans into action in 2017 with the help of the Young Start award. The centenary of the First World War provides a rich source or stories and examples of strength of character which can be a positive source of inspiration for young people.

Our Inspiring Purpose programme will enable young people and older family or community members to work together on a personal development project using the centenary as a key theme. In doing so we hope to make the terrible events from 100 years ago help to develop a stronger sense or purpose in those who take part. For anyone who would like to take part in the programme can pre-register at www.inspiringpurpose.org.uk/youngstart”

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said, “Young Start helps ensure that Scotland’s next generation has the best possible start in life. All of today’s nine successful projects share that ambition, so I am delighted to announce this latest investment totalling £383,272.

“Alzheimer Scotland, working in Glasgow and West Lothian will offer young people valuable volunteering opportunities to make connections with older people with dementia; providing experiences that should have a lasting impact on them and Character Education , an intergenerational research project will help link different generations in families across the country as they share memories and stories of the First World War.”

Run by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, Young Start awards money from dormant bank and building society accounts to support a range of projects to help young people aged eight to 24 years old reach their full potential. These latest nine awards to groups will allow young people across Scotland to access a wide range of new opportunities.

Find out more information about Young Start

Other projects receiving Young Start funding today are:-

The Wilderness Foundation
Moray, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire
£47,645
The group will be able to run a series of learning courses in rural Scotland for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Disabilities Fife
£49,940
The project will provide respite and support to children and young people aged from eight to 24 years old who have a caring responsibility.

Macrobert Arts Centre
£48,990
Stirling, Clackmannanshire
The centre will be able to run a series of arts workshops for young people.

Bauer Radio's cash for Kids
£29,737
Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian, Fife
The group will deliver a digital skills course for young people to enhance employability skills.

Youth Highland
£46,670
The group will develop a series of youth led, projects and events for young people across the region.

Home-Start Dundee
£50,000
The project will provide support to young parents and their children living in the most deprived areas of the city.

Fife Folk Museum
£19,470
The group will set up a Heritage Arts Hub which will run throughout the year.

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

• Dormant accounts are defined in the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008 as those which have seen no customer-initiated activity for at least 15 years.
• In September 2011 the Scottish Government formally issued instructions to the Big Lottery Fund to distribute dormant accounts funding for the benefit of Scotland’s voluntary and community sector.
• The Reclaim Fund Ltd. (RFL), which was established in March 2011 to receive and invest dormant account balances across the UK, transferred the first tranche of monies from dormant bank and building society accounts to BIG on 2 August 2011. Scotland will receive an 8.4% share of the total funds to be distributed.
• The Distribution of Dormant Account Money (Apportionment) Order 2011 prescribes that Scotland will receive 8.4% of the dormant accounts money to be made available for distribution by the Big Lottery Fund under the 2008 Act. The estimated grants budget for 2014/15 is £4.8m. It should be noted that this figure is a median projection and may go up or down.
• 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.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects 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, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.
• 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.