Edinburgh charity Gorgie City Farm has been awarded a £44,853 grant from the Scottish Children’s Lottery.
Situated on Gorgie Road, the farm is an urban oasis, inspiring users to value people, food, the environment and animals. The free-entry community resource promotes social inclusion by providing learning and volunteering opportunities for all, working in particular with young people and adults marginalised by society.
The funding from the Scottish Children’s Lottery will enable the charity to provide support for the some of the city’s more vulnerable and isolated young people, who are referred to the farm from schools, adolescent mental health providers and other agencies, including Barnardo’s.
At the farm, young people are offered a wide range of activities to help them grow and develop their potential, including gardening, mucking out, feeding and watering animals, and helping with animal health checks. The tasks often trigger conversation and humour and are designed to help create meaningful change in participants’ lives, encouraging physical activity, communication, a sense of responsibility and self-worth.
Sarah Campbell, Development and Fundraising Manager at Gorgie City Farm, said: “Gorgie City Farm is delighted to be supported by the Scottish Children’s Lottery. The funding we have received enables us to make a dramatic difference to the lives of young people who are often disengaged from education, training or employment. The funding ensures we can provide meaningful opportunities which can lead to more positive futures.”
The Scottish Children’s Lottery was launched in October 2016 to raise money for children in Scotland, with proceeds helping to improve the lives of children right across the country and make a real difference to those who need it most.
Kirsteen Campbell is trustee of Chance to Connect which operates as a society lottery under the Scottish Children’s Lottery. Chance to Connect supports projects working in the areas of community development and citizenship, giving young people across Scotland the chance to live in a safe, supportive and stimulating community.
Kirsteen Campbell said: “I am delighted that we are able to provide funding for Gorgie City Farm from the monies generated from the Scottish Children’s Lottery which was established in order to promote and support the development and potential of children and young people in Scotland.
“Thank you to those who play the Scottish Children’s Lottery; you are helping to support the great work that our charities undertake.”
Charities that support children in Scotland can apply online for Scottish Children’s Lottery funding.
Picture shows (L-R): Sarah Campbell and Leah Muirhead at Gorgie City Farm.
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