Author: davepickering

Fifteen fantastic youth led projects are today celebrating their share of over £700,000 in dormant bank account monies from the Young Start Fund. Amongst them are a bike lending library and an off-road motorcycling project, both aiming to build the confidence and employability skills of young people. (See below for full list of awards).

Edinburgh-based Dunedin Canmore will receive £60,000 for a youth programme. This group will provide a range of services and activities for young people aged 12-18 in the Gorgie and Dalry areas. Services on offer will include Health Respect drop-ins, one-to-one support sessions and outdoor learning activities. The project will work with around 390 young people and involve 11 volunteers.

Thanks to a grant of £30,000, The Knightsridge Adventure Project, in Livingston, will be able to take ‘The Vennie Bike Lending Library’ to the next level. Young volunteers will take ownership of the project and will be trained to manage the bike lending library, maintain bikes, and lead cycle rides across the community.

Welcoming the funding is young volunteer Scott Forbes, 16, (below) who joined the project seven years ago. He said: “I started coming along to The Vennie when I moved to the area – I didn’t know anyone so it really helped me make friends and provided a place to go after school when my parents were working.

“Volunteering has boosted my confidence and taught me how to engage with, and run activities for my peers, which I think will be useful for future employment. This place is so important for many of the young kids who can’t afford a bike of their own and who need somewhere to go after school.

“With this money we’ll be able to refurbish more bikes and run more cycle led rides across the community, which is what young people have been asking for. My hope is that these cycle trips inspire them as much as it’s inspired me in terms of ideas for the future.”

Thomas Heron (above), project lead at The Vennie Bike Project, said: “We are over the moon to have received this funding. Young people have demanded and driven this project and their opinions and ideas have led to the creation of the bike lending library, so I feel this epitomises what Young Start is all about.

“Now we can employ someone to co-ordinate the cycle led routes, maintenance workshops and help the project grow. Seeing the young people, many of whom can’t afford bikes, getting out and experiencing fresh air is wonderful and we can’t wait to see where the project goes.”

Meanwhile, young people at risk of offending will get their lives back on track as Fife based KORMC receives a Young Start grant of £42,803. The funding will be used to combine off-road motorcycle coaching with teaching young people valuable life skills.

David Paton, KORMC Programme Manager, said, “Wow, we are absolutely delighted to hear about the award from the Young Start Fund. It gives us an opportunity to continue the good work we have started. Also, to start new work on a motorcycle mechanics and maintenance programme. 

The feedback from parents, referrers and young people has been amazing, this is letting us know, that we are On the Right Track. With this new financial support, we will continue to develop young people in a positive way, whilst also making our communities safer.”

Announcing today’s funding totalling, £747,452, Maureen McGinn, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, 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.

“These brilliant groups reflect that aim by placing young people at their heart of project design, delivery and evaluation. It’s an absolute delight to announce this funding.”

Young Start Awards July 2019