Pilton Youth & Children’s Project has received an award of £75,285 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
PYCP is one of twelve Scottish projects – and the only one in Edinburgh – to receive a share of £800,000 in dormant bank account money.
The local youth group, based at The Greenhouse in West Pilton, will use the Young Start funding over three years to run their Creative Mentoring Programme to help young people aged 15-20 years move away from participating in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
PYCP’s Lesley Ross said: “We are delighted to receive this award.
“The project will recruit 10 young people each year for a 6 month programme (two intakes), which includes peer mentoring, education, training, weekly sessions, 3 day residential course and an emphasis on improved mental health and well-being.
An employability project giving disabled young Scots newfound confidence, skills and qualifications is also celebrating today.
Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do Dumfries project receive a two-year grant of £55,904. The funding will support young volunteers like 21-year-old Alastair, from Gretna, to learn new skills and achieve accredited qualifications that will boost their chances of future employment.
Alastair said: “I started coming along to the Can Do conservation project because I wanted to improve my knowledge of the outdoors, gain a certificate and better my CV. Before the project I was struggling to find work. I had difficulty socialising as I was feeling nervous and unsure all the time.
“Can Do helped me to feel more capable and boosted my confidence. It also helped build my knowledge and skills, particularly in sawing and working with wood. Now, I will get a new job or start more training.”
During the current lockdown period, Leonard Cheshire is delivering its Can Do Dumfries project through digital platforms to keep young people engaged and focused on developing their personal skills.
Welcoming today’s award, Stuart Robertson, Director for Leonard Cheshire in Scotland, said: “We are delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work this way.
“Now, thanks to this Young Start award, we will be able to continue empowering young people with additional support needs in Dumfries and Galloway to give back to the community.”
Young Start awards dormant bank and building society cash to youth-led projects across Scotland and is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Announcing the funding, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “Young Start aims to help children and young people across Scotland realise their potential while also building invaluable skills and confidence for the future.
“By placing young people at the heart of project design, delivery and evaluation, these projects will empower young people to achieve whatever they set their mind to.”
Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times, should visit:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start
or contact 0141 846 0447.
