Tag: Community Connect

Two Edinburgh charities are in the running to win share of £25,000

Two Edinburgh based charities – along with a third good cause group in Fife – have been shortlisted to receive a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect award scheme.

The awards will be announced this October, following a vote by Scotmid Members.

Edinburgh Young Carers is a voluntary organisation that provides respite and support to young people between the ages of five and 25 who care for somebody at home. It aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness of the challenges they face and by offering emotional and practical support.

The Junction works with young people aged 12-21 across Leith and the North East of Edinburgh, offering access to a wide range of health-related services, education and information by providing a safe and welcoming environment. The charity encourages social and economic inclusion and promotes long term health and wellbeing.

Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for a Scotmid Community Connect Award.

“Young carers in Edinburgh face several challenges looking after loved ones and this funding will offer new opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise. We are pleased to provide young carers in Edinburgh with a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities as well as a chance to build their confidence and learn new skills.”

The other good cause shortlisted in the East of Scotland is Fairway Fife.

Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.

Scotmid Community Connect cash for three local projects

Three charities based in the East of Scotland have been awarded £8,500 each, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.

Children with Cancer & Leukaemia Advice and Support for Parents (CCLASP), the Citadel Arts Group and Venture Scotland, secured the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of nine good causes across Scotland to receive financial support from a total pot of £75,000.

Edinburgh-based Venture Scotland, a charity which provides young people aged between 16 and 30, who are struggling with life, the chance to take part in a personal development course based in the outdoors, expressed their gratitude at receiving the lifeline funding.

David Brackenridge, CEO of Venture Scotland, said: “The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. However, it has been particularly hard for young people who were already struggling with their mental health before we went into lockdown.

“Scotmid’s generous funding will allow us to continue to support disadvantaged young people through our outdoors based personal development Journey programmes, to enable them to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives.”

Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £450,000 has been awarded to 54 good cause groups enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.

Harry Cairney, Chair of East Regional Committee at Scotmid, said: “The pandemic has created numerous challenges for communities to overcome and adapt to.

“Community Connect was established to enable us to extend the ways in which we can support the communities that we serve, and we are delighted to provide Venture Scotland, CCLASP and the Citadel Arts Centre, with this funding as they continue to provide vital support to their communities.”

CCLASP has provided vital support for families living with a child with cancer for the last 25 years. They offer families respite holidays at their cottage in Muthill. These holidays provide an oasis of peace for families at their darkest of times and any funds will be used to keep this amazing offering open to families needing a break.

Based in Leith for the last 10 years, Citadel Arts Group stimulates and expresses the creativity of older people through stories, memory books and lively dramas helping to celebrate the history of Leith. Funding will be used to create audio plays inspired by the stories to entertain the whole community.

In normal times, Scotmid would typically select a shortlist of community projects which its members then vote on to allocate different amounts of funding.

However, due to the pandemic, the Scotmid Board agreed that all shortlisted charities and community groups would receive equal amounts of funding within each region.

Call to apply for funding through Scotmid Community Connect award scheme

Scotmid is calling on charities and community groups in the East of Scotland to apply for Community Connect funding.

The Scottish convenience retailer is seeking applications for financial support ahead of the deadline of 25th March 2021. Nine successful groups across Scotland will receive a share of £75,000.

The funding is made possible through sales of single-use carrier bags in Scotmid stores. Money from each bag sale contributes to the pot which is then distributed through the Community Connect award scheme, with Scotmid Members voting on how the funding is distributed.

Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, said: “Community Connect is one of the main ways we support our communities, and we are delighted to invite applications from the many charities and good cause groups that work hard to support our communities each day.

“We are encouraging community initiatives in the area to apply ahead of the deadline on the 25th of March.”

Past recipients of the funding in the East of Scotland include Blood Bikes South Queensferry, Community One Stop Shop, Kids Love Clothes and Street Assist.

Since Scotmid’s Community Connect scheme launched in 2017, more than £385,000 has been awarded to good cause groups to enable key community projects to come to life, making a valuable difference to the lives of the many people who have benefited as a result.

For further information on how to apply, eligible groups can visit:

 www.scotmid.coop or send specific queries to membership@scotmid.co.uk.

The shortlisted groups will then be announced in April