Community groups across Scotland working with parents and families of children under eight are being encouraged to apply for cash from the multi-million pound Communities and Families fund.
Now in its fourth and final year, the programme funded jointly by the Scottish Government and the Big Lottery Fund, has grants of between £250 and £10,000 available to projects that give Scottish children the best start in life.
Those applying will follow in the footsteps of the latest 37 groups sharing in grants worth £97,748. They range from projects encouraging outdoor play and physical activity through to health and wellbeing schemes for children and their parents.
Three Edinburgh-based projects are among the latest groups to receive funding. A grant of over £8700 will enable Leith’s Saheliya project to run a 30 week play project for children, while Carrick Knowe Parish Church will use their award of £9700 to support workshops and activities for families with young children. Oak Note Theatre received £9600 and they plan to put on shows and deliver workshops to early years and primary school children across Scotland
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair Maureen McGinn explained: “Over the last three years the Communities and Families fund has awarded over £4.4 million to 560 groups including playgroups and creches which put children and their needs at their heart of their work. As we enter the fourth and final year of the programme, we are keen to hear from groups across the country who have an idea for funding.
“We know that the demand is likely to be high for the funding available and so we would encourage groups to come and speak to us as early as possible. Full details of our simple application process can be found on our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland and you can discuss your idea with us on 0300 123 7110.”
Fiona McLeod, Acting Minister for Children and Young People said: “Since its launch in 2012, the Communities and Families Fund has funded a wide range of activities to support children and families across Scotland. This joint venture with the Big Lottery Fund has been a resounding success by providing resources for groups working directly with children and families in communities. The Fund is now in its last year so I would encourage community groups to take this opportunity to apply for funding.”
One group receiving funding in the latest round of grants is Hawkhill Community Association in Clackmannanshire. The group will use its £9,978 award to deliver a free afternoon homework club for local children under eight years of age.
May Richmond, Community Centre Manager, Hawkhill Community Association, said: “This funding will make a tremendous difference. Put simply we would not be able to run the club without it. The children asked for the homework club. They will receive a 30-minute homework session, 30 minutes to have something to eat and 30 minutes of physical exercise. Everyone benefits from this as the children are better educated, the parents see the difference and teachers are commenting on the improvements.
“The Communities and Families application form was simple to complete and the questions were specific which made it easy to fill in. I’d certainly encourage other groups to apply for the funding available.”
The Communities and Families fund is open to a range of groups including voluntary and community organisations, statutory bodies or community councils. Money is available for a range of activities such as parenting support, including pre and post natal support; community play projects, food preparation and nutrition projects and community based family support activities.
Groups interesting in applying should visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communitiesandfamiliesfund
or email enquiries.scotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk with their project ideas.
See below for the full list of May 2015 recipients:
