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Scottish groups share £5m of National Lottery funding

The first Scotland-wide exercise network tailored for people of all ages, ability or stages of Parkinson’s, along with a peer support project for Scots with Macular disease, are amongst those projects sharing in over £5 million of National Lottery funding.

The money from the National Lottery Community Fund goes to 49 organisations for projects that will improve people’s health and wellbeing and help communities to thrive. See a full list of awards in your area

Parkinson’s UK in Scotland receives £140,417 to establish the first Parkinson's Scotland Exercise Network. This will bring together physiotherapists, leisure providers and people with Parkinson’s in areas across Scotland to provide exercise and activity classes specifically tailored for everyone with the condition, regardless of age, ability or stage of Parkinson's.

As Annie Macleod, Director of Parkinson’s UK Scotland explains, exercise plays a huge part in the management of Parkinson’s:

“Parkinson’s UK Scotland is delighted that the National Lottery is supporting our plan to make structured Parkinson’s-specific exercise activities available for everyone in Scotland regardless of their location or stage of Parkinson’s.

“There is no cure for Parkinson’s however, there is growing evidence that structured exercise may slow its progress and people with Parkinson’s tell us that exercise is the single biggest aid to managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This award will enable us to work with partners and develop a network that will broaden access to exercise for people with Parkinson’s everywhere.”

Also sharing in the National Lottery windfall is the Macular Society which receives £120,000 towards a peer network of practical and emotional support for people with sight loss, and their friends, family and carers across Scotland.

Welcoming the news, Ruth Paley, Senior Trusts and Philanthropy Officer, The Macular Society, yesterday said:

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in Scotland. Thanks to this significant award, we can expand our peer support network across Scotland, giving more people with macular disease access to our services that can change their lives for the better. Our services help people cope as their sight deteriorates, by learning about practical skills that can help maintain independence and providing emotional support that can reduce loneliness and improve quality of life.”

Announcing the funding totalling, £5,602,381, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, yesterday said: 

“It’s thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players that we are today announcing over £5 million to 49 life-changing projects across Scotland. This funding will make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. Parkinson’s UK and the Macular Society are great examples of this in action, both delivering projects that will provide Scotland wide emotional and practical support for people with progressive health conditions.”

Last year The National Lottery Community Fund gave out over £36m of National Lottery funding to community projects across Scotland. Over 1291 projects benefited from this, enabling people and communities to bring their ideas to life. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk

Notes to Editors

About The National Lottery Community Fund

We are the largest community funder in the UK – we’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since June 2004, we have made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9 billion to projects that have benefited millions of people.

We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland is focused on helping communities across Scotland thrive through its five year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants programme, National Lottery Awards for All Scotland.

Since March 2007 The National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland has taken devolved decision on National Lottery spending. The committee plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.

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