Quarriers among charities sharing £12 million funding to tackle inequalities

Charities supporting children, families and adult learning have been awarded £12 million the Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell has announced.

The money will be given to 116 voluntary organisations that tackle inequalities and poverty, support parents and carers, improve learning and build skills and will help thousands of children, families and communities across Scotland.

The Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund allocations are for 2016-17. It replaces the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and Strategic Funding Partnerships which ran from 2013 and will end in March 2016.

Ms Campbell confirmed the allocations during a visit to Quarriers Ruchazie Family Resource Centre in Glasgow – one of the organisations benefitting from the fund.

She said: “Tackling inequalities is at the heart of this government’s ambition to create a fairer Scotland and charities and other third sector groups are crucial in achieving this. I’m delighted we have been able to provide funding for so many organisations that provide vital support for families and communities across the country.

“I’ve seen first-hand some of the life-changing work these organisations do and this new fund has meant we can support a wider range of groups providing services from childcare to adult learning and family support to youth work.”

Alice Drife, Quarriers Chief Executive said:“We’re delighted to have been awarded funding by the Scottish Government. Quarriers supports people to turn their lives around and improve wellbeing, confidence and attainment. As a result, parents have greater capacity to create a nurturing environment for their children and cope with challenges affecting family life. Involving children and families in shaping the support they receive is a vital part of service improvement.

“Through Quarriers, this Early Years Grant will enable children and families to have more choice and control in life, to live independently in their local communities and to actively participate in decision-making about matters that affect them. This highlights and reinforces the true value of working together with the families we support.”

Fraser Falconer, who chaired the funding Board said: “As the Chair of the Board that made final decisions, I was very confident in the rigorous process and scrutiny that was applied to the application assessments. This fund should provide these organisations with the infrastructure support and links to Government that will deliver real improvements in outcomes for the people of Scotland.”

All the successful organisations will be given an initial one year allocation with commitment to continued funding in year two and three, with the level of funding reviewed in a year’s time.