Local charity? Let’s talk funding!

LOCAL CHARITIES INVITED TO COME AND TALK FUNDING

Charities working in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians are invited to come and have a face to face chat about funding opportunities with Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.

An advice surgery will be held all day on Tuesday 10 February at the Foundation’s offices on Gorgie Road in Edinburgh. The Foundation is particularly keen to hear from grassroots charities which benefit disadvantaged people and who need funding to continue their work.

Unlike many other funders, the Foundation’s Henry Duncan Awards programme will contribute towards staff and running costs, as well as new projects and services. And charities which have had a grant before can also apply again. The advice surgery gives charities the chance to find out if they meet the funding criteria and to get tips on how to fill in the application form.

Fiona Duncan, Chief Executive, said: “Our next deadline for applications to the Henry Duncan awards is 23 March so this is the perfect opportunity for groups to get some face to face advice before they apply.

“We want to give our money away to good causes doing great work in their communities to make a difference to people’s lives. So we’ll be as helpful as we can, explaining the application process and whether their work fits with what we fund. I’d encourage all community based charities in Edinburgh and the Lothians working with disadvantaged people to book an appointment.”

Appointments are held at Riverside House, 502 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3AF. They last for 45 minutes and can be booked by calling 0131 444 4020 or emailing enquiries@ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk

Civic Scotland urges halt to Universal Credit roll-out

An open letter to Iain Duncan Smith:

We – the undersigned – are writing with a united voice from across civic Scotland to call on the UK Government to immediately suspend the further implementation of Universal Credit in Scotland until the process of legislating for new powers for the Scottish Parliament is complete.

We know from the Smith Agreement that the bill for further powers that is currently being drafted, will include significant new welfare powers. The detail of how these powers will interact with the Universal Credit system will be complex and require careful consideration and planning. The legislation around welfare is complex and is regularly being adapted: since the enactment of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, there have already been over 40 Statutory Instruments passed by Westminster to bring into force many of its provisions.

Any system of welfare has to be safe and secure. Driving through Universal Credit in Scotland at this stage will create unnecessary administrative complication in an already complex process. The sensible way to roll out Universal Credit in Scotland is to do it once, when the Scotland-specific elements have been carefully planned and incorporated into it. This would avoid wasting precious time and scarce resources, and would protect vulnerable people from bureaucratic change that could wreak havoc.

A key recommendation of the Smith Commission was to significantly improve intergovernmental working between Westminster and Holyrood; this is a golden opportunity to do just that. So we ask you to act immediately to suspend the next phase of the roll-out of Universal Credit in Scotland, before it is scheduled to start in February.

Our diverse, united voices demonstrate that our call is not about politics. It is about protecting the most vulnerable people in our society and creating an effective, robust new system for delivering welfare. Our call is about responsible, effective governance.

Mary Taylor, Chief Executive, SFHA on behalf of my 56 co-signatories, listed below:

Age Scotland – Brian Sloan, CEO

Business for Scotland – Brandon Malone, Interim Chair

Church of Scotland – Rt Rev John Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly

Coalition of Care Support Providers in Scotland – Annie Gunner Logan, Director,

Common Weal – The Board

Constitutional Commission – John Drummond, Chairman

Council of Mortgage Lenders – Kennedy Foster, Policy Consultant, Scotland

Cyrenians – Ewan Aitken, CEO

Development Trusts Association – Ian Cooke, Director

East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel – Mark Ormiston, Chair Person

Edinburgh Tenants Federation – Betty Stevenson, Convenor

Engender – Emma Ritch, Executive Director

Food Train – Michelle McCrindle, CEO

Glasgow & West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations – David Bookbinder, Director

Health & Social Care Alliance Scotland – Ian Welsh, CEO

Inclusion Scotland – Bill Scott, Director of Policy

Money Advice Scotland – Yvonne MacDermid OBE, CEO

Quarriers – Alice Drife, CEO

Scottish Association of Social Work – Trisha Hall, Country Manager

Scottish Children’s Services Coalition – Sophie Pilgrim, Member

Scottish Community Alliance – Angus Hardie, Director

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations – Martin Sime, CEO

Scottish Out of School Care Network – Irene Audain MBE, CEO

Scottish Trade Unions Council – David Moxham, Deputy General Secretary

Scottish Women’s Aid – Lily Greenan, CEO

Sense Scotland – Andy Kerr, CEO

Social Enterprise Scotland – Fraser Kelly, CEO

Social Firms Scotland – Pauline Graham, CEO

St Martins Parish Pastoral Council, Tranent – Fr James Smith. Parish Priest

The Equality Network – Tim Hopkins, Director

The Jimmy Reid Foundation – Bob Thomson, Convener

The Poverty Alliance Peter Kelly, Director

The Wise Group – Laurie Russell, CEO

The Trussell Trust – David McAuley, CEO

Turning Point Scotland – Martin Cawley, CEO

Who Cares? Scotland – Duncan Dunlop, CEO

Voluntary Action Scotland – Calum Irving, CEO

Voluntary Health Scotland – Claire Stevens, CEO

YouthLink Scotland – Jim Sweeney, CEO

Zero Tolerance – Laura Tomson, Co-director

Signatories from Housing Assoc. due to be part of the next stage of Universal Credit roll-out:

ARK Housing Association – Jane Gray, CEO

Barony Housing Association – Rebecca Wilson, CEO

Bield Housing & Care – Brian Logan, CEO

Blackwood – Fanchea Kelly, CEO

Cairn Housing Association – Jason MacGilp, CEO

Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association – Alister Steele, Managing Director

Dunedin Canmore Group – Ewan Fraser, CEO

Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association – Helen Murdoch, CEO

Knowes Housing Association – Pierre De Fence, Director

Lister Housing Co-operative – Alistair Cant, Director

Manor Estates Housing Association – Lynn McDonald, Director

Melville Housing Association – Andrew Noble, CEO

Prospect Community Housing – Brendan Fowler, Director

Trafalgar Housing Association – Paul McShane, Director

Trust Housing Association – Bob McDougall, CEO

West Granton Housing Co-operative – Gerry Gillies, CEO

Children and families charities to receive £14.7 million

“Our parents often refer to our family sessions as a real lifeline, and we are very grateful for this support.” – Celine Sinclair, The Yard

Children and families across Scotland are set to benefit from funding awards totalling almost £15 million, announced by the Acting Children’s Minister today.

The funding has been awarded to 132 voluntary organisations which aim to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children and young people across Scotland and their families and communities that support them.

Confirming the funding allocations for 2015-16, Acting Minister for Children and Young People Fiona McLeod said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to creating a fairer Scotland and reducing inequalities, and supporting families is key to achieving that aim. I’m pleased we can invest further funding in these organisations to continue their fantastic work supporting children and families across Scotland.

“From vital childcare and youth work projects, to counselling and learning support, the work of these organisations is wide ranging, helping ensure our children get the best start in life. I’ve visited the Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh and have seen first hand the excellent work they do to support families.”

The funding is allocated through both the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund (TSEIF) and Strategic Funding Partnerships which began in 2013.

In the first year of the TSEIF alone, more than 3,500 families facing challenges were supported through project work.

The Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh is one organisation which has received funding through the TSEIF. It provides supported play and recreational activities for children with multiple and complex additional support needs.

Since the TSEIF grant began, there has been an increase in the number of new families using the centre and the funding has enabled them to increase their opening hours at the weekend.

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of Scotland Yard Adventure Centre said: “We are delighted to receive funding from the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund for a further year. The funds will support our weekend and holiday family sessions which provide both emotional and practical support to families with children with additional support needs. The sessions run every weekend and throughout the school holidays and give children and young people a safe and dynamic play space that meets their needs.

“Our parents often refer to our family sessions as a real lifeline, and we are very grateful for this support.”

Earlier this year the Scottish Government established a short-term working group to advise it on how the current funding arrangements supporting the Third Sector could be refined in the future.

The Third Sector Early Intervention Fund was launched in December 2012 with awards beginning from May 2013. It was originally intended to operate for two years, but has been extended to March 2016.

A Strategic Funding Partnership (SFP) is an agreement between the Scottish Government and a third sector organisation. The agreement is focused on the delivery of one or more Scottish Government outcomes, where the organisation is uniquely placed to assist with delivery and improve outcomes for children, young people, adults, families and communities. SFPs were also extended until March 2016 earlier this year.

Organisations receiving funding under the SFPs are:

Birthlink

British Association for Adoption and Fostering, Scotland

The Mentor Foundation UK (Mentor)

Genetic Alliance UK

Hearts and Minds

Article 12 in Scotland

Capability Scotland

The Alliance Scotland

Sense Scotland

Sleep Scotland

Scottish Youth Parliament

Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens

Dyslexia Scotland

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)

Lead Scotland

Learning Link Scotland

Scotland’s Learning Partnership

Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC)

Scottish Community Development Network

Workers’ Educational Association

Girlguiding Scotland

John Muir Trust

LGBT Youth Scotland

Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs

Scottish Environmental & Outdoor Education Centres Association

The Boys’ Brigade

The Girls Brigade in Scotland

The Iona Community

The Princes Trust

The Scout Association

Woodcraft Folk

YWCA Scotland

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

National Day Nurseries Association

Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta)

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland

Families Need Fathers Scotland

Fathers Network Scotland (FNS)

Parent Network Scotland

Working On Wheels

Family Service Unit Scotland (Circle)

Relationships Scotland

The Spark (Previously Scottish Marriage Care)

Asthma UK Scotland

Partners in Advocacy

Organisations receiving funding under the TSEIF are:

Action for Sick Children Scotland

Adoption UK in Scotland

Afasic Scotland

Befriending Networks

Black & Ethnic Minority Infrastructure in Scotland – BEMIS Scotland

Child Bereavement UK

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland

Children in Scotland – Working for Children and their Families (CiS)

Community Care Providers Scotland – Coalition Of Care And Support Providers In Scotland

Community Law Advice Network

Contact a Family Scotland

Down’s Syndrome Scotland

Edinburgh Cyrenians

Enable Scotland

Families Outside

Fast Forward

Govan Law Centre (Education Law Unit)

Home-Start UK

Mellow Parenting – Fathers & Parents with Learning disabilities

Mellow Parenting Very Early Intervention Project for Parents to Be

NSPCC

One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS)

Parents Early Education Partnership (PEEP)

Play Scotland

Quarriers

Rape Crisis Scotland

Re-Solv

Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (Children 1st)

Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children RSSPCC – Parenting across Scotland (Children 1st)

Save the Children

Scottish Child Law Centre

Scottish Childminding Association

Scottish Families Affected by Drugs- Strand 1

Scottish Mentoring Network

Scottish Out of School Care Network

Scottish Pre-School Play Association

Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (STAF)

Scottish Women’s Aid

Smart Play Network

Stepping Stones for Families

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN)

The Children’s Parliament

The Church Of Scotland CrossReach – Children, Young People and Families Directorate

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Fostering Network (Fosterline Scotland: Early Intervention through Advice, Advocacy and Mediation)

The Fostering Network Scotland

The National Autistic Society

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)

Who Cares? Scotland

YMCA Scotland

Youth Scotland

YouthLink Scotland

3D Drumchapel

Aberlour and Quarriers: Growing2gether – Early Years/Early Intervention Service

Aberlour Child Care Trust (Aberlour Bridges Glasgow: evidence-based early-intervention model)

Action for Children (Family support volunteering project)

Action for Sick Children Scotland

Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis

Barnardo’s Scotland – You First

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

Childcare First Limited – Ready, Steady, Restore

Drugs Action – Families First

Edinburgh Young Carers Project

Families Outside – Addiewell Prison Visitors’ Centre

Kindred Advocacy

Midlothian Sure Start

MindMosaic Counselling and Therapy – Providing Therapeutic support for children and young people.

One Parent Families Scotland (Supporting Scotland’s Children and Fathers)

Open Secret

Play Alloa: STEP UP Project

Positive Help-Children & Young people’s (C&YP) Services

Quarriers (Opt-In Early Years Project)

Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre Perth & Kinross

Saheliya

Scotland Yard Adventure Centre (The Yard – Families Project)

Scottish Childminding Association

Scottish Spina Bifida Association (“Be All You Can Be” Project)

Sense Scotland (Early Years Advisory Service)

St Andrew’s Children’s Society (SACS) – SafeBase Parenting Programme

The Butterfly Trust – Social Support for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis

The Church of Scotland Social Care Council – Daisy Chain Early Years Project

The Church of Scotland Social Care Council – Postnatal Depression Services, Lothian

The Moira Anderson Foundation

The National Deaf Children’s Society (Your Child Your Choices)

Tourette Scotland

Waverley Care (African Health Project Children and Families)

New Year, new funding to tackle homelessness

Government announces £2.3 million to address housing issues

Organisations which help homeless and vulnerable people find homes and live independently will get a funding boost next year, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has announced.

More than £2.3 million will be allocated to 32 new and existing projects which make it easier for older and disabled people to live independently, will improve access to housing for homeless people and will support refugee, asylum seekers and new migrant communities.

Projects to benefit from the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme in 2015-16, include Housing Options Scotland which will receive £242,000 to meet increased demand for its advice services for disabled people, older people and veterans.

Shelter Housing Law Service will be awarded £183,868 to provide specialist legal expertise on housing issues while the Scottish Refugee Council has been granted £130,000 for its work helping refugees adapt to life in Scotland.

Mrs Burgess said: “It is heart-breaking that in a country as prosperous as Scotland some people do not have the support they need to help them live as independently as they can and fulfil their potential.

“I am pleased this £2.3 million fund will be split between organisations that are addressing these inequalities, and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“This Government is clear, we want to provide opportunities for people to flourish and we recognise that a lack of suitable housing can be a major barrier preventing them from achieving their full potential.

“Whether it’s through working with the elderly, veterans, young people or asylum seekers, each of these 32 projects is closing this inequality gap, and tackling prejudice and discrimination.”

Moira Bayne, the chief executive officer of Housing Options Scotland welcomed the funding support. She said: “In 2014 Housing Options Scotland was able to help over 400 disabled people, older people and armed forces veterans to find the Right House in the Right Place.

“None of this would have been possible without the financial support of the Scottish Government.

“Thanks to this funding we have been able to help a wide range of people including a visually impaired teenager in the Scottish Borders who has had his family home extended to maximise his independence and a young former RAF officer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who has now returned to live near her son in Morayshire.

“We are absolutely delighted with the funding we have been awarded for 2015. We are mindful of how privileged we are to be offered such support in such difficult times and we look forward to helping many more people in the coming year.”

The Glasgow Simon Community and Positive Steps are two projects that will receive funding for the first time in 2015.

Through £90,975 funding Positive Steps will give training to men who have a history of re-offending and homelessness.

Cathryn Mill, development officer with Positive Steps said:

“Funding through the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme will allow Positive Steps to deliver and implement a significant test of change project.

“Dundee in particular suffers from high levels of reconviction rates that present issues related to homelessness.

“The proposed project will target short term persistent offending and the lack of access to secure accommodation. We will also offer targeted support to address offending behaviours.”

The following Edinburgh-based organisations will receive funding in 2015 -16:

Age Scotland £126,250

To provide information and advice to older people to help them maintain their independence.

Bethany Christian Trust £44,000

Funding for homelessness projects including literacy and numeracy, budgeting support, employment and volunteering, and street work.

CRISIS (project 1) £26,000

The project to help improve access to the Private Rented Sector for homeless people in Scotland.

CRISIS (project 2) £52,943

Tenancy support project which works with people in shared housing.

Housing Support Enabling Unit (HSEU) £120,640

Assisting providers in the voluntary, private and registered social landlord sectors.

Move On Ltd £25,000

Project helping young people at threat of homelessness through peer support.

Housing Options Scotland £242,000

Provides tailored housing advice to disabled people, older people and veterans.

SACRO £49,000

Dealing with neighbourhood conflict and promoting positive community relations.

Scottish Churches Housing Action (1) £57,000

Project supporting a range of services and activities including starter packs and befriending networks.

Scottish Churches Housing Action (2) £9,000

Prison leaver peer support project for HMP Edinburgh. Prisoners will be supported through housing, health, training and employment interviews following release.

Scottish Housing & Support Conference £11,000

Funding for annual conference for service users and providers of housing support services.

Scottish Women’s Aid £67,345

Project focusses on homelessness and prevention of homelessness for women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Homeless Action Scotland £164,000

Facilitates national homelessness networks and National Homelessness and Employability co-ordinator.

Shelter Housing Law Service £183,868

To provide access to specialist legal expertise and representation on housing issues across Scotland

Scottish Social Networks (Rock Trust) £30,721

To support the work of the Housing Option Hubs. In particular by raising awareness of the link between positive social networks and prevention of homelessness.

Venture Trust £60,437

Outward bound courses and wilderness training to improve the confidence of homeless young people to develop their independent living skills.

An Audioboom clip of the Housing Minister can be found here: https://audioboom.com/boos/2745068

Cyrenians: a second chance

‘Everybody matters, everybody makes a difference’ – Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive Cyrenians

A unique and innovative approach to supporting vulnerable young people who have been homeless was showcased in a short film at The Scottish Storytelling Centre on Wednesday.

Devised and produced by the residents and volunteers at Edinburgh’s two Cyrenians Communities, the film portrays what it is like to live, volunteer and work in the communities, and highlights why this approach works for both residents and volunteers.

Cyrenians has two residential Communities. The City Community in Leith and the Farm Community to the west of Edinburgh. Over the course of a year the Communities will provide support to around 29 individuals aged 16-30.

Each Community has up to eight residents at any one time, who live there as a result of being homeless, usually following a family relationship breakdown, drug or alcohol issues or a mental health problem. Both Communities also have around six volunteers who live with the residents helping to provide a safe, stable environment and ultimately resulting in residents moving on into the wider community.

Dani Jones, aged 26, one of the residents who took part in the film, describes the impact living in the Community has had on him: “Cyrenians is a chance to get back on your feet if you are homeless or in need of help. It’s given me a second chance, not only in life but in giving me the motivation to do well.”

With funding from The Agnes Hunter Trust, the Cyrenians’ residents worked with Media Education, volunteers and staff for six weeks to create the short powerful film which captures what it is like to live in a shared living environment and how this supports individuals to grow and develop, increasing their social and emotional skills.

The nine-minute film, which was funded by The Agnes Hunter Trust and produced in partnership with Media Education, can be seen at http://vimeo.com/99831443

The challenging and exciting project provided an industry-based training experience giving both residents and volunteers an opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and self esteem. Of the six residents and nine volunteers who participated in the project, all agreed they felt a real sense of pride and achievement with the final film.

Cyrenians Community resident Annie, aged 26, described the filming making process as a positive experience and said: “Sometimes I find team work and communication difficult but through this project I think we worked very well together and showed what it is like to live in the Cyrenians communities.”

Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive, Cyrenians, said: “We hope this film will be a in inspiration for those who feel they don’t matter or that no-one cares. Cyrenians communities are places of change for everyone involved; whatever the reason they are there. There are no labels; there are only people together on a journey of transformation and hope. No-one is beyond change. Some may stumble but others are there for them. And everybody matters, everybody makes a difference.”

Iain Shaw, Director, Media Education, who worked with residents on the project, said: “We have been delighted with the levels of engagement and the commitment to the project from all involved. This is reflected in the quality of the final film.

“I hope that residents and volunteers use their involvement to seek out new opportunities and use the project as a basis for demonstrating their abilities in terms of creativity, teamwork and technical skills. We have found this project to be very worthwhile and look forward to working with Cyrenians again in the future.”

The film premiere at the Scottish Storytelling Centre gave residents’ friends and families an opportunity to share their experience. The film will now be used to help prospective residents and volunteers gain a better understanding of life in the Communities and to help recruit future volunteers.

Cyrenians film: go to http://vimeo.com/99831443

Website: www.cyrenians.org.uk

It's a Fayre frenzy!

Lots of festive fayres and events in the neighbourhood this weekend

First off, we have all the fun of the fair at Forthview Primary School this lunchtime and #StrongerNorth’s Christmas Market at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre this afternoon.

On Saturday there are festive frolics at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project’s Greenhouse, St Ninian’s church in Comely Bank,Waterfront Nursery has a Fun Day from 10am – midday and there’s a FACE fundraiser at the Western General Hospital too.

And if that’s not enough seasonal spirit there’s also the big Christmas charity event at Inverleith Park on Saturday AND Sunday!

No doubt there are more – let us know and we’ll share the information

It is indeed the season to be jolly – ho! ho! ho!

Plastic carrier bags to help keep Scotland beautiful

Supermarket chain Tesco has announced that the environmental charities Keep Scotland Beautiful and Keep Wales Tidy will benefit from an estimated £1.8m raised from carrier bag charges.

Compulsory charging for plastic carrier bags is to be introduced in Scotland next month. It is already in force in Wales, where it has raised more than £2.3m to support wildlife charity RSPB’s conservation work since 2011.

More than 27,000 Tesco customers took part in the vote to choose the beneficiaries of the levy, which is expected to be worth about £1m in Scotland and about £800,000 in Wales. Both charities, which were chosen from a list of 120 organisations, are planning to use the money to fund a variety of projects to keep local communities clean, green and tidy. The partnerships will run from 20 October 2014 for at least a year.

Greg Sage, community director for Tesco, said: “Our customers are the ones who will pay the charge, so we really wanted them to choose the charities that will benefit from it. The response was had was absolutely incredible – 27,000 people voted which is a fantastic turnout.

“Since 2011, the carrier bag levy in Wales has raised over £2.3 million for the local RSPB, which has been used for vital conservation work. Keep Scotland Beautiful and Keep Wales Tidy now have a fantastic opportunity to use the money raised from the bag charge to make a real difference to the communities they serve.”

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), said: “This is fantastic news for KSB and a tremendous opportunity for Scotland, a country whose people, organisations and institutions have really wrapped their arms around KSB and shown that they care about their environment by voting for Scotland’s own environmental charity.

“We would like to thank everyone who voted for us. We cannot wait to get started. Lots of local community groups and organisations that work in partnership with us, from all across Scotland, will benefit from this funding.”

Nominations also opened this week for the 2014 Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme, worth £200,000. The scheme will make one-off donations of between £500 and £2,500 to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations for working on local projects that support health, opportunities for young people and environmental sustainability.

Seagrove Centre Open Day

At North Edinburgh Dementia Care’s Seagrove Centre we provide fun and stimulating activities for our members and a wee break for their carers.

We aim to help people stay as well as they can for as long as they can which may help avoid the need for them to move into a care home.

We are having an open day to raise an awareness of the centre and to demonstrate the work we that we do with local people with dementia.

I would like to invite you along on Monday 8 September from 2 – 3pm to meet the staff and some of our members to have a chat and enjoy a tea/coffee and biscuits.

Janette McIntosh

Manager

NEDC Info

For further information visit www.nedc.org.uk

£6m grants to ‘vital’ Third Sector

More than 115 organisations to benefit from Enterprise Ready Fund

Grants totalling £6 million have been awarded to over 115 enterprising third sector organisations, Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed yesterday. Mr Swinney said that an enterprising third sector is ‘vital’ to Scotland’s future.

Fresh Start, Edinburgh Cyrenians Trust, MY Adventure and The Spartans Community Football Academy (pictured above) are among the Edinburgh organisations to benefit from Enterprise Ready funding (see below for full list of awardees).

ERF_awardees-aug2014

The Enterprise Ready Fund fund provides continued support to enterprising third sector organisations across Scotland, building on the Scottish Government’s commitment to promote a sustainable, capable and enterprising third sector.

Mr Swinney said: “We had a great response to the Enterprise Ready Fund and I would like to congratulate all organisations that have been successful in securing grants.

“Each and every one of the recipients are working in their own unique way to become more self-sufficient but more importantly for me, they are creating change at a local level. We can look forward to a future where these organisations play a full role in public service reform.

“We strongly believe that an enterprising third sector is vital to our economy, to civic society and in the creation of a fairer and more inclusive Scotland. That is why we have invested heavily to help the sector develop further.

“Organisations like Move On which operates across Scotland to deliver a range of support and advice services to those affected by or at risk of homelessness are excellent examples of how the sector is helping to create a fairer and more inclusive Scotland. This investment will help them deliver important services and opportunities to people across the country.”

Foundation Scotland’s Chief Executive Giles Ruck said: “We were encouraged by the high volume of applications received and are delighted that the fund is supporting such a variety of enterprising third sector organisations. We look forward with great anticipation to seeing the difference these awards will make in communities throughout Scotland.”

Foundation Scotland (FS) is Scotland’s busiest grant maker, making more awards to charity than any other independent funder. Each year FS clients make over 2,000 payments to charities and community organisations, about a third of which are to organisations recommended by FS.

FS supports a wide range of charities, voluntary community groups and sports clubs, giving clients a great range of causes to donate to and enabling FS to reach a wide range of community activity across Scotland.

A broad spectrum of local projects have received support through Foundation Scotland – from small grants to Pilton Community Gardeners, North West Carers Centre and Davidsons Mains & District Children’s Pipe Band through t0 a £30,000 grant to Pilton Community Health Project to contribute to the cost of a Women Supporting Women development worker. In all, 34 Edinburgh-based charities, community organisations and sports clubs received funding through Foundation Scotland.

For full details of grants awarded (1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014) see below

July 2014 awards

Nominate your champion in Age Scotland awards

Age Scotland is asking people across Scotland’s communities to nominate a champion in their annual awards.

The Charity, which is dedicated to helping people in Scotland enjoy a better later life, is looking for nominations for the Age Scotland Awards 2014, which will be presented in the Scottish Parliament later this year.

The Awards celebrate the groups and individuals that have made a significant contribution to the lives of older people.
There are six categories in the awards:

· Volunteer of the Year Award (sponsored by Solicitors for Older People Scotland)

· Employer of the Year Award

· The Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing (sponsored by McCarthy & Stone)

· The Patrick Brookes Partnership Award (sponsored by Specsavers)

· Service for Older People Award

· Member Group of the Year Award (sponsored by David Urquhart Travel and open only to Age Scotland member groups)

The Employer of the Year Award has been introduced for the 2014 awards because, with the scrapping of the mandatory retirement age in 2012, we now have more older people in work and it is vital that employers respond to this positively.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “Too often we hear negative messages about older people such as the ‘demographic time bomb’. Age Scotland’s Awards are our way of challenging these perceptions and celebrating later life.

“We want to demonstrate how older people embrace civic and social responsibilities and showcase the depth of talent and experience amongst our older generation.

“If you know someone who’s making a real difference to the lives of older people then tell us about them. And remember, if you know of an employer who has exemplary age friendly practices, please nominate them for our newest category of award.”

The nomination form can be downloaded at www.agescotland.org.uk/awards or can be requested by calling 0845 833 0200.

Nomination forms must be received no later than Friday 29 August.