National Lottery good cause cash gives community groups a voice

31 Jul 2017 12:04 PM

A life changing £619,912 of National Lottery good cause cash is today (MONDAY 31 JULY) being shared amongst 84 arts, sports and community projects across Scotland.

This community based cash boost comes from National Lottery Awards for All Scotland which makes grants from £500 to £10,000 with funds raised by the National Lottery.

For more details on where National Lottery funding is making a difference near you and a full list of the latest awards

Edinburgh based charity, Raised Voices, receives £3,000 to run a series of creative writing and performance workshops for people in the city who are homeless or have been homeless. This innovative theatre project will culminate in a specially written play which will be performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018.

Director, Blair Christie, said, “This grant means we can run our drama group for a whole year and produce a range of shows that will reach out to the community.  This award is a lot more than just money in the bank, it’s a means for us to be able to combat isolation, promote inclusion and bring people together in a world that makes it easier to lose these connections. You can’t put a value on that and I can’t thank National Lottery Awards for All Scotland enough.”

The ball sport of VX, formally known as Rock-It-Ball, is virtually unknown in Scotland but that’s soon set to change, thanks to an award of £5,219 to VX Scotland.  VX us a gender neutral sport which includes elements of dodgeball, lacrosse and hockey. The money will allow the group to bring the sport to a wider audience and encourage more people to take it up.

Treasurer, Tony Nield, said, “We are so grateful for this funding that will allow us to buy a large set of equipment we can loan out to local schools, universities and groups. These kits will help more people to know about and get involved with VX and allow us to press forward with our plans for the growth of the sport throughout Scotland.”

More people will be able to take a peek behind the doors of Glasgow’s most iconic buildings, thanks to an award of £9,950 to Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.  The group delivers the city’s annual Doors Open Day event every September and the money will allow them to print this year’s brochure in Braille, and in two additional language,s as well as providing BSL interpretation during tours and guided walks.

Chair, Murray Shaw, said, “Glasgow’s architecture and heritage should be enjoyed by everyone. This National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant is invaluable in assisting our efforts to increase accessibility at Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival by helping us engage with a more diverse audience throughout the city.”

In Livingston, T Gold Handmade Footwear CIC, will be able to shape the lives of people struggling to get a foothold in the job market, thanks to an award of £9,932.  The money means they can run a programme of workshops around shoe making providing people with a whole new set of skills.

Founder and CEO, Anthony Thomas, said, “We have experience of working with people with learning disabilities and brain injury for nine years so we understand how difficult it can be for them to get opportunities to learn new skills.

“This funding will support this group of wonderful people and help them regain their confidence and self-esteem. We will provide volunteering, training and work experience opportunities that will help them get back into training, education and employment.”

A National Lottery Awards for All spokesperson said: “This is National Lottery money making a real impact in communities across Scotland. The __ groups receiving funding today showcases the range of projects that can be funded through this programme and the difference that the smallest amounts of money can make.”

National Lottery Awards for All Scotland awards grants to community, arts and sports groups on behalf of Big Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland and sportscotland.

National Lottery Awards for All Scotland is now more straightforward to apply to and faster to get funding from. Applications are received on a rolling basis and can be received at any time. To find out what National Lottery Awards for All Scotland could do for your community visit our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or phone 0300 123 7110.

Big Lottery Fund Press contact: Lorna McNiven Scotland press office 0141 242 1451
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: #bigscotland
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Notes to Editors: