WIREDGOV

A project reuniting separated foster children after years apart is one of 11 across Scotland sharing in almost £100,000 from the Communities and Families Fund.

Across the country 11 community led projects are sharing in £97,375 from the small grants scheme supported by the Scottish Government and Big Lottery Fund.

Separated children will be reunited with their siblings, thanks to £10,000 awarded to Sibling Therapeutic Assessment Retreat (STAR) SCIO. The Fife based charity offers support to children in care systems across Fife, Dundee, Angus and Perthshire. The award will be used to provide a safe and fun venue for siblings to meet on a regular basis.  

Karen Morrison, Founder and Chair of Sibling Therapeutic Assessment Retreat, said: “The Communities and Families funding will help make it possible for our organisation to continue providing the opportunity for regular and quality contact for brothers and sisters separated in the care system, kinship care or through adoption.

“STAR will continue to help foster strong bonds between each sibling group so they can create a strong family identity and lasting friendship to support each other through adulthood, the impact is immediate but the long term benefits have the potential to be life changing. With the help of Communities and Families STAR is creating positive childhood memories for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Announcing yesterday’s funding, Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee, said:  “I’m delighted to announce the latest awards for the Communities and Families Fund.  The STAR project is a wonderful example of how our funding can help families build strong bonds to last a lifetime. There are around 16,000 children in care in Scotland and if this project can help to reunite some with their siblings, then it will have made a huge difference.”

Fiona McLeod, Acting Minister for Children and Young People, said: “This latest announcement of organisations benefitting from the Communities and Families Fund shows the real difference this funding can make for groups working in communities across Scotland. I am thrilled organisations such as STAR can continue to do the wonderful work they do in bringing together siblings with this extra support.”

 Other groups receiving funding yesterday include Ormiston Grows Ltd in East Lothian which receives £9,952 to help teach young parents and their children how to grow their own produce, and the Ochil Community Hall Management Committee in Stirling which will start a play café for parents and children in Stirling thanks to a grant of £8,500.

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.

Details of other projects receiving funding yesterday is available here.

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