Tag: charity support

Two Edinburgh-based charities to receive share of almost £1.2 m. from Scottish Power Foundation

Two Edinburgh-based charities will receive a share of almost £1.2 million funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, which supports incredible projects that make a positive impact on people and communities across the country.

This year’s Foundation-funded projects – which support art and culture, education and empowerment, citizenship and society, and biodiversity and climate change – were selected on the basis of the significant and lasting contributions they will make to society, while enhancing people’s quality of life.

Almost £9.2 million has been awarded to successful charities since the Foundation was established in 2013.

Drake Music Scotland will use the £50,000 it was awarded to help run its ‘Figurenotes: Everyone can play’ programme, which will help transform music education across Scotland and beyond.

The programme will embed a fully inclusive system in the curriculum that gives children access to an easier way to play music.

Active participation in music making has proven benefits for wellbeing and key learning outcomes such as improved communication skills.

Now in its second year, the Dynamic Earth Charitable Trust’s Planetarium will develop a programme of innovative science engagement for underserved groups thanks to the £76,000 it’s received. 

New elements include a ScottishPower Foundation Community Pass, offering free visits and supported learning for disadvantaged people; teacher training; and new learning materials to accompany flagship shows on climate change and marine biodiversity for all visitors.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Once again, we were overwhelmed by the extraordinary work being delivered in our communities – day in and day out – and we’re very proud to support this year’s charities.

“The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to supporting projects that make a hugely positive impact on people’s lives and that’s what these organisations do in abundance.

“From improving education to promoting environmental protection and enhancing lives, the charities we’re supporting this year are doing truly transformative work.

“We know that throughout these challenging times, people are relying on the support of charities more than ever before, and with the help of the ScottishPower Foundation, this year’s projects can go further and make a difference for more people.”

Thursa Sanderson OBE, Chief Executive, Drake Music Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be chosen to be one of Scottish Power Foundation’s successful charities in 2021.

“This support will help us create web-based software for the inclusive music system Figurenotes which will transform access to music education across Scotland.  Figurenotes is a fun and simple tool which helps people of all abilities play simple tunes within minutes of picking up an instrument for the first time.”

John Simpson, CEO at Dynamic Earth, said: “We feel honoured to be chosen as a charity partner of the ScottishPower Foundation in 2021 amongst some amazing other charities and projects.

“This funding means that Dynamic Earth will be able to undertake a much more in-depth and valuable engagement programme for underserved groups.

“We will be proud to launch a brand new ScottishPower Foundation Planetarium Community Pass in 2021 – to offer free visits and supported science learning to disadvantaged families. This funding will help us to reach new people and inspire them with the wonder of our planet and the environmental challenges we face.”

The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 to make a significant and lasting contribution to society, enhancing the lives of people living in communities throughout the UK.

It provides funding to help support the advancement of education, environmental protection, arts and culture and citizenship. It also supports charities who aim to provide relief from poverty, disability, or other disadvantages.

Find out more at scottishpowerfoundation.com.

Barclays donates £100k to support children and families in Scotland

A LIFELINE charity will continue to support children and families across Scotland through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic thanks to a £100k funding boost.

Children 1st – which works with families across Scotland to protect children from harm and to help them to recover from trauma and abuse – has received £100,000 from the Barclays 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme.

Scotland’s national children’s charity will use the funding to continue to provide practical, emotional and financial ‘whole family’ support and to help families recover from the impact of the pandemic over the coming months and years.

Children 1st chief executive Mary Glasgow said: “We can’t thank Barclays enough for their support.

“Right now, families are telling us that they feel at the end of their tether. After so long living with restrictions, they’re exhausted. Many families are struggling to make ends meet and are looking for support to keep the gas running, put food on the table and to manage the emotional toll that the pandemic has taken.

“Families facing the most desperate circumstances need to know they don’t need to go through this alone – we are here for them.”

Over the coming months and years, the charity will focus its efforts on supporting children and families to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

With frontline services delivering direct support in 12 different communities across Scotland, the Children 1st team have seen at first hand the devastating impact the coronavirus has had on vulnerable families already living in very stressful situations.

Thanks to the funding from Barclays, the charity will continue to respond quickly to families’ needs by providing emergency support including food and care parcels, vouchers and digital devices to help with loneliness and isolation.

The financial support package from Barclays will also ensure that families will continue to be supported through Children 1st Parentline – a lifeline service which helps families with emotional, financial and practical support, over the phone and online.

Children 1st Parentline can also put families in touch with Children 1st Money Advisors, who help parents and carers deal with money worries and take control of their finances, while also offering emotional support.

Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland, said: “This crisis has had an unprecedented impact across Scotland and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many families and young people.

“By reaching those most in need of support, local charities, such as Children 1st, have played a vital role in this crisis, and continue to do so. With a long and growing presence in Scotland Barclays is doing all it can for customers, clients and colleagues to help them through this pandemic.

“We hope that the donations we are making to charities in Scotland, including Children 1st, will allow them to amplify their vital work as the crisis develops.”

In April, Barclays announced a £100m Community Aid Package to support charities that are helping people and communities most impacted by COVID-19.

As part of that funding package, £10m has been donated through their 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme,

Children 1st Parentline is open seven days a week, from 9am-9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12 midday Saturday and Sunday.

If your family are struggling, get in touch by calling free on 08000 28 22 33 or visit children1st.org.uk/parentline to start a webchat.

Homeless charity’s efforts boosted by Amazon in Edinburgh

A charity that provides support for homeless people in Edinburgh has received a £2,000 donation from Amazon Development Centre Scotland. 

Streetwork has been offering care and guidance to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh for almost 30 years. The charity provides expert advice and compassionate support, working to connect people to the services they need. The mission of the charity is to enable a life off the streets, showing dignity and respect to everyone. 

The capacity of Streetwork in Edinburgh is expanded by being part of ​Simon Community Scotland​. Simon Community Scotland works to combat the causes and effects of homelessness, with a vision that everyone should have a safe place to live and access to the support they need. 

Amazon has been a supporter of Streetwork since 2017, having previously donated £1,000 towards the purchase of heavy-duty sleeping bags for those who had nowhere to live. Earlier this year, the team from Amazon Development Centre Scotland hosted an International Food Day event and raised a further £500 for the charity. 

Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “It is our pleasure to continue our support of Streetwork in Edinburgh.

“We know that those who are homeless are at greater risk during COVID-19 than ever before and want to ensure any individuals who need help have somewhere to find it. Streetwork is an excellent charity, doing great work, and we can’t thank them enough.” 

Jan Williamson, Assistant Director from Streetwork added: “Like many charities, our resources have been stretched as we respond to COVID-19, so we are very grateful to receive this donation from the Amazon team.

“We strive to show people on the streets that they are cared for and supported, and we cannot do this without the help of the entire community. Thank you, David and the Amazon team, for continuing to support our work.” 

Edinburgh Central MSP, Rt Hon Ruth Davidson commented: “Streetwork does amazing and important work across Edinburgh – work that has never been more important than at this time.

“I welcome this donation from the Amazon Development Centre, which will allow the Streetwork team to help more of our city’s vulnerable and homeless.”

Amazon Development Centre Scotland is responsible for innovations used around the world by the company, including machine learning to power Amazon’s smart features like personalised recommendations. 

Streetwork received the donation as part of the “Amazon in the Community” programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK. 

Community donations is one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19. 

Calpol to support children’s charity helpline

  • In 2018/19 the NSPCC Helpline handled nearly 73,000 calls and emails nationally from adults worried about a child – referring almost half on to police and social services
  • The helpline made nearly 2,000 referrals to agencies in Scotland last year
  • Charity announces partnership with CALPOL® that will help the NSPCC to deal with thousands of contacts

Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from adults worried about the safety of a child across the UK are on the increase (by 12%). Continue reading Calpol to support children’s charity helpline

TL Dallas marks a century in business with charity campaign

TL Dallas, one of the UK’s leading independent insurance broking and risk management companies, is celebrating 100 years in business. To mark this significant milestone, the business has pledged to provide 12 months of support to a number of charities close to the hearts of its staff, including Alzheimer Scotland. Continue reading TL Dallas marks a century in business with charity campaign