An intergenerational dance company that helps young people creatively connect with older generations through dance is amongst a number of groups sharing in 1.3 MILLION of dormant bank account funding announced today.
Across the country 19 youth-led projects are celebrating £1,334,561 from the Young Start fund, which aims to help young people build confidence, skills and take an active role in realising their own potential.
Young Start is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund and awards dormant bank and building society cash to projects led by and for young people.
One of the groups celebrating today is Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballet, which receives £98,314 to deliver intergenerational dance workshops and performances. The project, which is called ‘Wolf Pack’ will also provide three young associates places to volunteer and gain group facilitation and leadership experience.
Natasha Gilmore, Artistic Director of Barrowland Ballet, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded three-year funding from the Young Start Fund.
“We passionately believe that dance is for everyone and Wolf Pack is a celebration of different generations collaborating. We provide a chance for young people to creatively engage alongside other members of their local community, develop new skills and create dance performances that give each of them an opportunity to express themselves.”
Also welcoming the funding is Isaac, 10, whose confidence has come on leaps and bounds since joining the dance company in 2017, he said: “Before I started in Wolf Pack, I didn’t really think I could dance but now I know I can. I have so many good friends too. I feel much more confident than I used to.
“Last week I stood up in front of 100 children at my school and gave a speech because I wanted to be house vice-captain of my school house. I was up against seven others and I won the vote! Without the confidence gained at Wolf Pack I wouldn’t have gone for it.”
Also sharing in today’s cash boost are Magic Torch Comics in Inverclyde. Their £62,708 award will enable them to run Outside the Box – Community Comics, which will empower young people from marginalised groups to create comics that reflect the imagination, lives and stories in their community.
The young people will design, create and distribute their comic books at this year’s Comic Con.
Paul Bristow, Director of Magic Torch, said: “Magic Torch Comics are absolutely delighted that we have this new opportunity to provide free comics workshops across the Inverclyde community.
“Over the next two years our Outside the Box – Community Comics project will work with young people to help them share their stories, life experiences, hopes and ideas using comics. We’re looking forward to discovering lots of new writers and artists – everyone has a story to tell.”
One Edinburgh project also received funding. Craigmillar’s Health Opportunities Team receives £67,555 to create ‘feel good groups’ for up to ten young people aged 12 – 18.
Weekly after school sessions will consist of a physical activity, a health information session and a healthy meal planned and prepared by the young people. The project will work with 90 young people and involve four volunteers.
Announcing today’s funding, National Lottery Community Fund, Chair, and Maureen McGinn, said: “Young Start aims to support projects that are led by, and for, young people, giving them the best possible start in life.
“All of today’s projects share an ambition to help young people grow in confidence and play an active part in realising their potential, and so it is with great pleasure that we announce this latest investment totalling £1,334,561.
Groups wanting to know more about Young Start should visit https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start or contact 0300 123 7110.
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