WIREDGOV

National Lottery funding is empowering people to deliver the change they want to see in their communities, thanks to £5.7 million awarded to 24 groups across Scotland recently (FRIDAY 13 APRIL).

A total of £5,728,140 of life-changing funding has been announced by the Big Lottery Fund to help bring local people together and develop happier, stronger relationships with each other. (See a full list of awards)

Among the groups that received funding recently was People United for Banton (PUB) who have been awarded £738,149 to renovate the local pub, the Swan Inn in Banton, near Kilsyth, into a new community hub. This major redevelopment project will increase the services available in the community, tackle isolation and loneliness particularly among older people, and boost economic development whilst making the area more attractive to potential visitors and locals alike. 

Welcoming their award, Catherine Moneypenny, Secretary of People United for Banton, said: “Almost two years ago the people of Banton feared losing our only pub, one of our last amenities. Now we are buying it. Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund we are set to transform it into the community hub we all want and need.

“In its new incarnation the Swan Inn will house a gorgeous cafe, restaurant, and shop as well as a traditional pub. Banton will enjoy fantastic facilities and have a fabulous place to welcome visitors to our beautiful village. The whole village has come together to make this happen, and our confidence in our community and our future has skyrocketed.”

Also celebrating their funding is Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust who have been awarded £148,487 to create a wellbeing hub north of Kilmarnock town centre. This will involve refurbishing a small building, the ‘Old Man’s Cabin’ on Witch Road, recently acquired from the local council through a Community Asset Transfer, and turning it into a welcoming space for the local community.

Allan Brown, Trustee at Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust, said:  "We are delighted to be awarded National Lottery funding from the Big Lottery Fund and look forward to being able to deliver a health and wellbeing hub for the community. This will make a real difference to the people of Kilmarnock who are experiencing difficulties relating to a variety of issues including mental and physical health.

“We will now be able to provide healthy lifestyle activities on a regular basis to members of the local community including counselling, therapy, motivational sessions, meditation and acupuncture. These activities will help to improve people’s health, skills and confidence, and raise their aspirations for both themselves and the community.”

CamGlen Radio will also help to bring local people together thanks to an award of £148,907. This money will be used to continue and develop CamGlen Radio as a community radio station and, through involvement with the station, help local volunteers to build professional skills, confidence and social connections.

Tam Curry, Coordinator at CamGlen Radio, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive support from the Big Lottery Fund. The funding is going to enable us to continue recruiting and supporting local people, no matter their experience, background or barriers, to become fully-fledged members of our broadcast team. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and supportive radio station; a third of our volunteer team have a range of support needs and with Big Lottery Fund support we have the capacity to give tailored support to each individual so that they can work towards their goals.

“Our volunteers will learn new skills, become more job ready, improve well-being and have a real sense of purpose as part of a real, full-time radio station, while listeners will benefit from having a local station that is truly representative of the community they live in.”

Announcing the grants, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “This latest investment of £5.7 million will help communities across Scotland to flourish by bringing local people together. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, thousands of people will gain access to multi-purpose community spaces in their local area which will improve their health and wellbeing. For others, the funding will provide opportunities to build their skills and confidence, and inspire them to achieve personal ambitions.”

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1524
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGSCOTLAND #NationalLottery
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 scheme National Lottery Awards for All Scotland.
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on National 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.