Young people across Scotland will be inspired to make a positive change in their lives, thanks to £474,900 of National Lottery funding awarded to 55 youth-focused projects today (THURS 6 SEPT), in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Young People. Continue reading Lottery cash boost for young people across Scotland
A Special Olympic Games in Stirling, storytelling workshops for visually impaired people in Glasgow and a cultural festival in Edinburgh are amongst a range of events set to go ahead thanks to a National Lottery boost of £767k announced today.
The funding comes from National Lottery Awards for All Scotland which makes grants from £300 to £10,000 to voluntary and community groups across the country.
Among the projects funded today:
An Awards for All spokesperson said: “Today we are announcing over £767,000 that will help communities across Scotland to set up and develop projects run for and by local people.
“What is clear is that the smallest amount of funding can often make the biggest difference to people’s lives. All of these grants are a great way to show the variety of projects that can be funded through National Lottery Awards for All.”
National Lottery Awards for All Scotland is now more straightforward to apply to and faster to get funding from. Applications are received on a rolling basis and can be received at any time.
To find out what National Lottery Awards for All Scotland could do for your community telephone 0300 123 7110 or visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/awardsforallscotland
The National Lottery is helping bring people together in communities across Scotland as 18 groups across the country receive a cash boost totalling £1,950,722. One of them is Oxgangs social enterprise Best Bib & Tucker CIC, who receive over £116,000. Continue reading Oxgangs community recycling project scoops Big Lottery funding
Up to £330 million from dormant bank and building society accounts will be used to help the homeless, disadvantaged young people, local charities and other good causes in the UK over the next four years, Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, announced today. Continue reading £330 million from dormant bank accounts to help good causes
… and Lottery success for Granton Community Gardeners
A mother who lost her son in the most tragic of circumstances has today welcomed a National Lottery cash boost that will allow the Scottish Cot Death Trust to support many more bereaved parents to come together to share their experiences. Local project Granton Community Gardeners also received some welcome news this morning – the project is to receive over £78,000 to support and expand it’s programme of activities. Continue reading Bereaved families to benefit from National Lottery investment
An apprenticeship programme designed to empower young people who have a disability to have a voice in shaping sporting activity in Scotland receives £49,985 of Young Start funding being awarded today. Disability Sport (SDS) is one of five groups sharing in £206,196 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Young Start programme, thanks to dormant bank and buildings account money. Continue reading Young Start empowers sporting Scots to have their say
‘A significant cut to lottery funding, coupled with increased demand from people affected by welfare cuts and unemployment would represent a perfect storm for many Scottish charities’ – SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Trust. Continue reading Devastation: charities fear impact of slashed Lottery funding
‘You never know what might happen in your community after a chat over a few sandwiches and some cake!’ – Michelle McManus
Edinburgh neighbours joined in with the millions of people all over the UK who have been getting to know their neighbours better as part of The Big Lunch yesterday. The UK’s annual one-day get-together for neighbours, an initiative led by the Eden Project and made possible by the Big Lottery Fund, has taken place in villages, towns and cities across the country.
Big Lunch activities in Edinburgh included a fiesta-themed Big Lunch in Trinity, neighbours’ street parties in Newhaven and Willowbrae and an event organized by Halifax Princes Street branch at Gorgie City Farm attended by the Lord Provost.
Communities were getting together across Scotland, including at street parties in Glasgow, Angus and West Lothian, picnics in the park in Dumfries, Fife and Perthshire and even a Big Lunch beach party on the Isle of Skye!
The Big Lunch, which is supported by Halifax and Asda, is the perfect recipe for having fun with neighbours, feeding community spirit and helping to build stronger neighbourhoods. People are the key ingredient, with those taking part creating friendlier communities in which they start to share more, from conversation and ideas to skills and resources.
Elaine, who helped put the fiesta Big Lunch together in Trinity today, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day and a great turnout! We first decided to give The Big Lunch a go in 2009 when we realised we didn’t know everyone in our stair of 8 flats – we’ve now held one every year since! We ended up meeting people who had lived in the street for over 40 years but who I had never even seen before as they rarely come out. It has been a real icebreaker for us, bringing our community closer together, breaking down barriers and providing a chance to socialise.”
Lara, who got her neighbours together in Willowbrae yesterday, explained: “It seems to be a common theme that neighbours have fewer opportunities to meet. In Willowbrae, we’ve seen the closure of the baker, post office, pub and chemist. Some of us lead such busy lives that unless we make an effort, chances are we won’t see or speak to our neighbours. The Big Lunch felt like the perfect excuse to bring everyone together. The real benefits we’ve felt since our first Big Lunch include a greater sense of community and in building trust. Once you’ve chatted to someone over cake (or chocolate dipped strawberries, or green smoothie, or home made pakora!) then what you’ve actually done without noticing it is broken down some imaginary barriers!”
Sir Tim Smit KBE, Co-Founder of the Eden Project and The Big Lunch, said: “The Big Lunch is always special as millions of people all over the UK take time out of their busy lives to talk, laugh and eat with their neighbours. It is based on a simple concept: if we spend a Sunday afternoon with our neighbours in June, we’ll build friendships and stronger communities that will last for years. It’s about making our streets happier, safer and less lonely places and it’s fantastic to see so many people taking part this year.”
Michelle McManus, who has supported The Big Lunch in Scotland for the past three years, added: “I really believe in the benefits of being part of a strong community like the one I grew up in the East End of Glasgow. Even today, I cherish the great relationships I am lucky to have with my own neighbours.
“Knowing who you live beside makes you feel safe and connected to your community. Events like The Big Lunch provide an excuse to chap your neighbour’s door and ask if they’d like to get together. You never know what might happen in your community after a chat over a few sandwiches and some cake!”
Pictures by Phil Wilkinson
AND THAT BIG LUNCH COULD GET EVEN BIGGER …
The project that last year encouraged over 400,000 Scottish people to share lunch with their neighbours has been awarded Scottish Government funding to help more communities be involved in this year’s events.
Big Lunch Scotland will receive almost £50,000 to give communities the chance to apply for a grant that could go towards food, insurance, outdoor games or furniture to host their own get-together.
From now until September, communities who may have faced barriers to taking part in the past will be able to apply for grants of up to £150.
The Big Lunch is the Eden Project’s annual UK-wide event aimed at building community spirit and getting neighbours talking. While events kick off on June 7, communities are encouraged to run events throughout the summer.
In addition, the Scottish Government funding will also offer grants of up to £500 to help support participants of the Big Lunch Extra Programme develop ideas in their community such as cookery classes, babysitting services or community cinemas.
Minister for Community Empowerment Marco Biagi met with Edinburgh and Midlothian Big Lunch organisers and their neighbours to officially open the new funding schemes on Friday.
He said: “Around 400,000 Scottish people – including me – took part in The Big Lunch last year, and I hope the Scottish Government’s funding boost of nearly £50,000 will make it possible for even more people to take part over the summer.
“We’re often guilty of not making enough time to get to know the people who live next door to us, never mind the ones who live down the street. The Big Lunch is a simple way to reconnect with our neighbours and is having a powerful impact on communities.
“From the people I’ve met who have attended Big Lunches in the past it’s clear to see the benefits of this annual event. People feel more involved their community, they have a stronger sense of community spirit and they feel less isolated.
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of empowering communities and giving them the confidence to shape their own futures. These grants will remove financial barriers and will make sure everyone has an opportunity to be involved in The Big Lunch.”
Feedback from the 2014 Big Lunch found that 97 per cent of people who took part would recommend the event to their friends, and 84 per cent said it made them feel better about their neighbourhood.
Emily Watts, Campaign Manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland, said: “We always say that you don’t need much money to hold a Big lunch when everyone brings something to the table and that is still true – but there are times when a small amount of help can mean the difference between your community getting involved and not.
“To be eligible you need to be able to tell us how you would use the grant to enable your community or street to take part, and what barriers it would help to overcome. For existing Big Lunch participants, you must be able to tell us how you will engage a new section of the community with the grant.”
More information and application forms can be found at: http://www.thebiglunch.com/partners/scotland-seed-fund.php
The Big Lunch encourages Scots to get numbers climbing and boost community spirit!
Organisers of the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours are calling for at least 10% of Scots to get stuck into a day of food, friendship and fun on Sunday 7 June.
The call to action was launched on Thursday – the ‘100 days to go’ mark before the big day. It is hoped that millions of neighbours across the UK will again be getting together in an effort to boost community spirit where they live. A massive 4.83 million people took part in the lottery funded initiative in 2014.
Emily Watts, Communications Manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland encouraged more people in Scotland to get involved this year. She said: “C’mon Edinburgh! We want to see the number of people taking part in Scottish communities climbing to 10% of the population. Year on year, feedback from previous participants is very positive, with people feeling more connected to their communities after a Big Lunch. People start new relationships that continue after the day too.
“We know Scots are friendly but we all recognise the feeling that we could make more effort with our neighbours. The Big Lunch is an excuse to chap the door and ask if they’d like to get together.”
The Big Lunch, partnered by Halifax and ASDA, is now in its seventh year. Big Lunches can be big or small, take place on a street, park or community venue and be as simple and inexpensive as you like. There are no rules to getting involved besides that people are the key ingredient!
In 2014, thousands of communities from all across the country took part in the big event. Lou, who organized her street’s first ever Big Lunch street party in Edinburgh last year, said: “Before our Big Lunch I knew the neighbours near our house to speak to, but not further up the street. Now we all know each other and feel able to stop and say hello, which I wouldn’t have done before.
“Our neighbours really got into the spirit of contributing something on the day, bringing lovely food to share and helping with party tunes and activities for the kids. This made it really easy and inexpensive to pull together. Looking back, it felt like a day from a bygone era and I’m glad we put the time aside to get to know our community better. I really recommend getting involved in 2015!”
Edinburgh neighbours who are interested in getting involved this June can register for a free pack, now available from www.thebiglunch.com or on 0845 850 8181. Packs include invitations, posters, recipes and activity ideas, as well as lots of information to get events off the ground. All pack materials are undated so communities can have Big Lunches when best suits them if they can’t join in on Sunday 7 June.
Footage from previous year’s Big Lunches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Eden Project started The Big Lunch in 2009 with the belief that we’re better equipped to tackle the challenges we face when we face them together.
The Big Lunch is led by the Eden Project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and supported by Halifax and Asda.
Find out more about The Big Lunch at www.thebiglunch.com
Dads Rock, an Edinburgh-based charity which supports bonding time for dads and their children, is set to expand thanks to a Big Lottery Fund award of £287,096.
Dads Rock will now be able to provide additional support for 180 dads and male carers over the next three years through its Scotland network of free playgroups for dads and kids. The project will create new playgroups, both in the community and within a prison setting, as well as a new counselling service and more father and child social outings.
Thomas Lynch, a founder member and current Dads Rock Board Member, said: “This award from the Big Lottery Fund is amazing. It will allow us to support so many more families, and give stability to our current playgroups. It will also allow us to employ staff and expand our services, by running playgroups during the week as well as the weekend, offering free counselling, working with young dads, and taking Dads Rock into the Prison setting.”
Dads Rock was set up by volunteers three years ago and has gone from strength to strength. Hundreds of dads and their kids have spent quality time together at the charity’s sessions at The Prentice Centre in West Granton and at WHALE in Wester Hailes.
David Millar has been attending the organisation’s Wester Hailes playgroup with his one year old son Matthew since May 2014. David said: “It’s great to talk to other dads and get the benefit from their experiences. I’ve learned a lot of new hints and tips that have really helped with our family life at home. I go every Saturday and last week was the first time I took Matthew and our six week old twins, Mark and Jacob along with me. Groups like this are a great idea as there’s not a lot out there for fathers, especially those who are struggling for help. I look forward to going every week as it’s exciting, informative and I get to spend quality time with my boys.“
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “As a charity set up and run by dads, Dads Rock knows exactly what support fathers need to be able to enjoy positive and rewarding relationships with their children. This funding will reach out to those men who might not otherwise have the confidence to attend a playgroup session or speak openly about their concerns as a parent. I’m delighted that this investment will enable their work to expand, helping many more fathers like David to develop their confidence and self esteem.”
Dads Rock is one of nine groups receiving funding, totalling £4,566 678, from the Big Lottery Fund’s Investing in Communities fund. The others are:
Scottish Autism
Award: £548,662
The ‘Get Set 4 Autism’ project will work in partnership with Autism Argyll to provide post-diagnostic support to families with children up to the age of 18 who have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Senior Centre Castlemilk
Award: £168,360
This project will work with vulnerable older people in Castlemilk to provide a series of social activities, learning opportunities, information and advice, assistance with appointments and help with shopping and household repairs.
Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association
Award: £356,469
This project will support 90 older people who live in a newly build flat development in Moredun, Edinburgh. The group will employ a full time Community Capacity Builder and part time staff to help people settle in and personalise their homes.
PEEK – Posibilities for Each & Every Kid Ltd
Award: £605,776
This project will extend the group’s current Play Ranger model throughout the north and east of Glasgow.
Home-Start Angus
Award: £297,427
The “Bumps and Beyond” project will improve links with antenatal services and health and childcare services leading to increased confidence, self esteem and understanding of parenting skills. Volunteers will be recruited and trained to deliver the home visiting service families who need help.
Annexe Communities
Award: £629,696
This project will support up to 900 isolated older people in North West Glasgow over five years with a range of social events and healthy activities.
The Royal National Institute for Blind People
Award: £516,235
This project will work in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeenshire to support blind and partially sighted young people, aged between 15-25 years, helping them to move into training, employment, or further and higher education.
Muir of Ord Hall & Facilities Company
Award: £1,156,957
This project will refurbish and extend the existing Old Tarradale School, to create a community hub which will improve the centre of the village and provide a quality facility for the 3,300 residents as well as visitors to the village.
A further 22 projects will share over £20,000 of grants from Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Investing in Ideas programme. A full list of those grants is available here.
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGScotland #biglf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland
