COMMUNITY ANCHOR AWARDS TO EIGHT EDINBURGH PROJECTS
Community led groups across Scotland are today sharing in over £1.5 million of National Lottery funding to distribute to individuals most vulnerable to the cost-of-living pressures.
The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to 73 groups means that well targeted support from food or fuel provision and access to warm clothing or electric blankets can be distributed immediately in response to the challenges that people are currently facing on a day-to-day basis.
Eight Edinburgh projects received grants. There’s £28,600 for Edinburgh Commmunity Food, who will work to support their community who have been particularly affected by the cost- of- living crisis.
Bridgend Farmhouse will support their local community by running warm spaces sessions, setting up a crisis fund and piloting some affordable eating sessions in schools – they receive £19,580.
Edinburgh Community Health Forum applied for Community Anchor funding on behalf of its eight member organisations so that they can support people and families most affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
They receive £26,491 which will be used to provide support including food and food vouchers, community meals, cooking sessions, access to warm spaces and warm clothing.
Restalrig’s The Ripple Project was awarded £25,232.
This group will support people most in need due the cost-of-living crisis by providing food, heating, warm clothing and blankets, laundry, cheaper cooking options and transport.
There’s funding, too, for Old Town Development Trust, Home-Start Edinburgh, Lister Housing Co-operative and Prospect Community Housing.
Elsewhere in Scotland, an award of £23,500, Annexe Communities will provide emergency provisions to local people and households in Partick.
As well as distributing food vouchers, clothing vouchers and energy top ups the group will be able to run a soup social and provide soup packs with all the relevant ingredients needed for people to make their favourite soups at home.
The money means that the Annexe can continue this work which began during the COVID-19 pandemic helping many more people like 41-year-old Kelly Young from Partick. Kelly is mother to four children and was referred to the Annexe when she lost her job in December 2021.
Struggling to keep up with rent payments and put food on the table, Kelly lost two stone in six weeks because she wanted to make sure that her children ate first.
Over the last year Annexe Communities have been there for Kelly providing advice, food parcels and fuel vouchers. Kelly said: “I now have a job as a cleaner and am working hard to support my family as best I can. I have always been a believer in being able to help yourself but when you are in such a deep hole it’s impossible.
“It took a lot for me to swallow my pride and admit that I needed help for me and my family but the truth of it is that I am out working and I still can’t manage. Pay day becomes pay away day and I am constantly living on my overdraft – it’s a never-ending cycle.
“That’s why places like the Annexe are so important right now, they keep contact with me and it’s good to know that people are there for me and that it’s a safe place for me to come and not sit in my house stressed and isolated.”
Jane Cowie, Development Worker, Annexe Communities, said: “This funding means we can support struggling local families and people over the next few months so they can eat and are able to heat their homes.
“We have joined forces with other local organisations and are using our collective knowledge to work together and to reach and to help as many people in need. The money means we get the relevant support to people who need it now.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of funding is just one of the ways our National Lottery funding is being distributed to organisations who will directly support people and communities facing very difficult circumstances.
“Local charities and community groups are fully aware what’s going on right now in their local areas and are therefore best placed to deliver this support quickly so there’s no delay with providing people with the help they so desperately need.
“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that they can continue this vital work.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
Full list of projects: