Care leavers among those to benefit from £1m project grants

Children and young people are to benefit from almost £1 million in grants for projects throughout Scotland.

A total of 32 organisations from Shetland to the Borders will receive a boost in the latest round of funding from the Scottish Government and the Big Lottery Fund.

The largest grant of £50,000 will help the Venture Trust charity to fund outdoor personal development courses for 12 care leavers and young carers in the Highlands.

Glasgow’s Rape Crisis Centre will benefit from £49,065 for a project supporting survivors of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse aged between 13 and 25.

A grant of £44,233 will go Cancer Link Aberdeen & North (Clan) for a service helping children and young people affected by the disease.

Elsewhere, an award of £49,968 has been made to Falkirk and District Association of Mental Health to support youngsters dealing with a range of problems such as cyber bullying, substance misuse, family break-up and bereavement.

Manager Angela Price said: “Over the next two years we will be able to offer a speedy response to requests for counselling and support for young people.

“This is important to us because we believe that early intervention and a quick response to requests for help is a critical factor in preventing deterioration of mental well-being.”

In Perth, Horsecross Arts will receive £9,800 for a project providing singing, dancing and drama for under-fives from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Noelle Cobden, head of creative learning, said: ” For a high proportion of the children we are working with, this is their first experience of the arts and many of them would not otherwise have access to cultural activities.”

The grants, totalling £922,241, come from the Communities and Families Fund and Young Start funding programmes.

Run by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland for the Scottish Government, Young Start awards money from dormant bank and building society accounts that have seen no customer activity for at least 15 years. The money supports projects that help young people aged eight to 24.

The Communities and Families Fund helps children and their families from birth to eight years and is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Big Lottery Fund in Scotland.

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the difference that local initiatives are making to help young people reach their full potential, supported by our partnership with the Big Lottery Fund.

“This year I’m delighted that a wide variety of projects across Scotland have been successful in securing funding either from Young Start or from the Communities and Families Fund, which together are enabling communities to deliver the right kind of support needed to improve the lives of local children and families.”

Maureen McGinn, chairwoman of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland committee, said: “I am delighted to announce this funding today. Through both Young Start and the Communities and Families Fund, we help ensure Scotland’s next generation has the best possible start in life.

“The awards made today include playgroups and creches working with the very young right up to organisations supporting young people outside the education system.

“All of them make a huge difference by enabling children and young people to gain the abilities, skills and confidence required for positive and healthy futures.”