Young Scots take control thanks to £400k funding boost

23 May 2016 01:06 PM

Twelve projects helping young Scots take greater control of their futures have yesterday (May 23, 2016) shared in £487,253 from the Young Start programme.

Young people in Glasgow will have the chance to gain vital work experience and qualifications, thanks to an award of £50,000 to A & M Scotland who will run a training and mentoring programme for 80 people.

Paul Fletcher, Deputy CEO, A & M Scotland, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Young Start is supporting our new project.  This money will make a significant impact on the lives of many disadvantaged young people across Glasgow.  It’s based around a model that is tried and tested and has been successful in helping other young people into full-time employment, apprenticeships, further and higher education and other positive destinations.

“The young people that we work with want to get a job, go to college or university and to better themselves and this project will help them to achieve these goals. “

Caithness KLICS is the only dedicated project for young carers in Caithness offering a range of support to youngsters aged between five and 18 years of age.  Thanks to an award of £23,640, they will be continue this much needed work and also allow them to meet the increasing demand for their services.

Shena Mcbeath, Project Manager, and Caithness KLICs, said: “Young Start funding has enabled us to continue to support Young Carers in Caithness. This vital service helps them to make new friends and join in activities but most importantly enables them to have the same opportunities as their peers.”

Hundreds of youngsters in Argyll and Bute will have the chance to take part in a range of fun and exciting activities which promote a healthier way of life, thanks to an award of £49,969 to B: Activ, run by Route 81, based near Helensburgh. The group will run a series of taster sessions and focus groups for young people who attend youth groups from across the region.

Michelle MacDonald, Manager, Route 81, said: “Young Start funding will allow us to continue and develop the exciting work we do with local young people, ensuring we remain consistent, responsive and relevant to meeting the needs of many young lives. We now work with over 200 local young people and the growth in our service has provided us with the opportunity to build strong, trusting and positive relationships.

“We are delighted that Young Start funding is allowing us to develop this piece of work which will provide a much stronger support system for young people, many of whom have not been able to access this type of support. “

Announcing yesterday’s funding totalling £487,253 Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “With this funding, children and young people across Scotland will be able to unlock their talents through a wide range of activities. These are designed to engage and inspire them to follow their dreams while also building skills and confidence for the future. The Young Start programme creates opportunities for children and young people to achieve their potential and every one of these projects reflects that aim.”

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.

For more information about Young Start visit the website at:-
https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/scotland/young-start

The other nine projects that received funding from Young Start yesterday were:-

LGBT Youth Scotland - Falkirk, Stirling, Borders, Highland
£50,000
The organisation can continue to deliver their Checkmates youth work project and one to one support programme for 120 young people in Falkirk, Stirling, Galashiels and Inverness.

The Gladiator Programme Limited - Glasgow
£49,600
The group will run a programme of play/sports activity sessions to encourage 800 young people in the East of Glasgow to help make positive lifestyle choices.

Terra Incognita – Glasgow 
£21,800
The organisation will deliver a series of workshops over 19 months to 70 young carers which will help them prepare an exhibition which will be shown alongside a professional theatre production on young carers’ experiences.

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council – Edinburgh 
£46,911
The organisation will be able to develop their project to help local youngsters engage and understand the issues related to hate crime. They will run a series of workshops and stills training on a range of issues from community engagement to human rights.

RSNO – Glasgow 
£40,480
The organisation will be able to establish two new Junior Chorus Choirs at Primary Schools in the North and East of Glasgow for primary school pupils aged between 8 and 10 years of age.

Circus Alba Ltd –Edinburgh 
£13,892
The group will be able set up a repertory circus company with local young people aged between 16 to 24. The youngsters will receive a programme of professional training, delivered by experienced mentors.

Project 81 – Argyll and Bute 
£49,781
The organisation will be able to continue delivering a youth work programme for young people in Argyll and Bute.

Lambhill Stables – Glasgow 
£41,460
The organisation will be able to continue delivering a programme of recreational, outdoor and healthy activities for children and young people. Activities on offer will include drop in weekly youth clubs and outdoor activities including canoeing and kayaking.

CEMVO – Glasgow
£49,970
The organisation will be able to offer a range of work placement opportunities and offer career support to 50 young people in Glasgow. The award will also provide ongoing support to 50 other young people who are still involved from the previous project.

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.