Tag: community grants

Celebrating Scotland’s Communities

Crimestoppers and Fearless event celebrates work of community groups

On Friday (6th October 2023), independent charity Crimestoppers and their youth service Fearless celebrated the vital work that community groups across Scotland undertake at a special event in Maryhill, Glasgow.

Supported by Network Rail Scotland, the charity awarded six youth-focused groups and six adult-focused groups £500 to spend on creating a special day during the summer that provided an opportunity to learn about the charity’s 100% anonymous reporting service.

Whilst Crimestoppers is not normally a grant giver, this project was an exceptional effort to show support for the very local groups who play an invaluable role in making communities stronger.

Guests at the celebration included The Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP and representatives from community partners, safety projects and other charities.

Over 120 invited guests heard from the award winners about the fantastic work they undertake in communities and the difference the funding provided by Crimestoppers and Network Rail Scotland made to their summer:

Man On! are a mental health charity operating in Inverclyde. With support from Fearless (the youth service of Crimestoppers), they organised a football wellbeing cup for 200 young people during the summer holidays to encourage them to come together to learn more about mental health issues, community safety and Fearless.  

The players had a great time – keeping fit, working together and learning how to stay safe and healthy.

Milan Senior Welfare in Edinburgh supports older South Asian communities and unpaid carers. They used the funding to host a series of community events. Over 90 people attended, many experiencing language barriers, so they heard about how Crimestoppers’ language line can offer 147 different languages to those choosing to report crime anonymously.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Both I and the Crimestoppers Scotland National Manager have worked in the charity sector for the duration of our professional careers. We have seen firsthand the difference youth workers, community workers and local charities make to so many lives – every single day.

“Shining a light on the tremendous work carried out by local charities and supporting them to empower their group members with key information about crime and awareness of our charity, has been truly inspiring. We’re so glad that, together with Network Rail Scotland, we could bring both knowledge and joy this summer.

“Today’s celebration was an important reminder that everyone has a right to feel safe wherever they live and that through Crimestoppers and our youth service Fearless, we help communities to achieve that.”

Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown said: “Crimestoppers is unique in its role, giving people the opportunity to make their communities safer by anonymously reporting information about crime.

“I was pleased to be able to join the event today and learn more about the positive impact of Crimestoppers and their dedicated youth service Fearless.

“I want to say a personal thank you to community groups for the difference they continue to make in local communities and the contribution they make.”

Innis Keith, Health, Safety & Environment Director, Network Rail Scotland, said: “Scotland’s Railway has partnered with Crimestoppers and Fearless for many years now and the partnership has, and continues to raise awareness around the dangers of railway crime and the devastating impact it has on our communities.

“It’s so important that people know how to anonymously report unsafe or criminal behaviours and activities.

“We’re really proud to be supporting this special project to help keep passengers and communities across Scotland safe while stamping out crime on the railway.”

Local Sports Clubs in with a chance to bag £2,500 grant funding from Aldi

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund has returned for its seventh year and local sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians can now apply for a share of £50,000.

The fund encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part in physical activity within their local communities by offering sports clubs the chance to secure essential funding. There are a range of funding tiers available, with one club in the area guaranteed to secure a £2,500 funding boost.

Since launching in 2016, nearly 500 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from a funding uplift of £290,000 through Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, helping to improve community access to sports across the country.

From gymnastics to football and volleyball to bowling, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation that meets the application criteria. In 2021, Aldi supported a selection of sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians, including Lismore Rugby Football Club and trampolining club, PHD FUNdamentals. The additional funding helped both clubs fund training sessions and purchase new equipment.

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “Since launching in 2016, our Scottish Sport Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much needed equipment and resources.  

“Sports clubs across Scotland have had a really challenging time over the last two years, and I am proud that Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund gives these clubs a helping hand to continue the fantastic work they do in their communities.

“Each year, we are blown away by the applications we receive, and I look forward to welcoming more in 2022. I’d encourage any sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians to apply and take advantage of this excellent funding opportunity.”

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is part of the retailer’s wider commitment to help local communities in Scotland, which it also does through its Neighbourly partnership and Supermarket Sweep.

Sports clubs located across Edinburgh and The Lothians have from Monday 22 August to Sunday 25 September to apply for funding. One applicant will be selected to receive £2,500 of funding, two applicants will each receive £1,000 of funding, while several other applicants will each receive £500 of funding towards their sports club.

Applications can be made via a form found on:

 https://www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund.

The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria. All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and entrants will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within four to six weeks from the region’s deadline. 

Please see the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund FAQs and Terms & Conditions for more information.

Edinburgh Local Community Grants

There are only SIX DAYS LEFT to apply for a University of Edinburgh Community Grant of up to £5,000.

Community Grants support charities and other groups to make a difference to people across the region, and increase engagement between the University and local communities.

Apply here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.

If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work. We have some specific drop-in sessions, or just email us to arrange a discussion.

The deadline to submit your application is 5pm onFriday 8 April 2022.

How much funding can I get?

Applications for up to £5,000 are welcome. However, if you require £500 or less, you may also be interested in the University’s Micro-grant scheme.

Since the University launched its Community Grants scheme in 2017, it has awarded almost £500,000 to more than 100 fantastic local organisations.

Apply here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Inverleith Neighbourhood Network to meet next week

There’s a distictly Drylaw flavour to next week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Network meeting.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre will be giving a presentation to the meeting in a ‘Getting To Know You’ session and Easter Drylaw Park has also been tabled as an agenda item.

The meeting, which will take place online using TEAMS, will be held on Monday 6th December from 6 – 7.30pm.

AGENDA

  1. Welcome and introductions
  2. Minute of meeting of 12th October 2021
  3. Getting to know you – Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
  4. Local Community Planning Partnership (LCPP)- Verbal update from Joan Beattie, Rep on LCPP from this group
  5. Progressing Inverleith NN priority – Greenspace and community growing subgroup – verbal update
  6. Community Grants Fund – discussion
  7. Easter Drylaw Park issues – discussion
  8. AOCB
  9. Date and format of next gathering

For further information contact North West Lifelong Learning Development Officer, Elaine Lennon: email Elaine.Lennon@edinburgh.gov.uk

Inverleith Neighbourhood Network to meet on Tuesday

Dear Inverleith Neighbourhood Network (NN)

The next meeting of this group is Tuesday 17th August at 6pm on Teams (link below)

Please find attached:

  • Minute of previous meeting of 24th June 2021
  • Agenda for meeting of 17th August 2021
  • NEP report (Roads and Housing Revenue Account HRA)
  • Transport Infrastructure Investment report

We have no Community Grants applications to consider at this meeting, but Cllr Barrie is still looking for volunteers to join a Funding Panel that will consider any applications in future.

We are particularly keen to have anyone representing projects in the Drylaw Telford area.

Please get back to me if you are willing to assist in this.

INN-Agenda-170821Download

Inverleith-NEP-proposals-HRA-2021-22Download
Inverleith-NEP-updates-Roads-2021-22-240621Download

Transport-Infrastructure-Investment-Capital-Delivery-Priorities__-for-2021-22Download

Inverleith-NN-Notes-240621-finalDownload

Click here to join the meeting

Elaine Lennon

North West Lifelong Learning Development Officer, City of Edinburgh Council

8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, EH4 4DP

Tel: 0131 529 5270 / 35270

Applications are open for Nationwide’s Community Grants Programme

  • Nationwide’s Community Grants Programme now accepting applications from charities and projects helping solve housing issues across UK
  • Successful applicants are awarded grants ranging from £10,000 to £50,000, decided on by Nationwide’s Community Boards comprised of Nationwide members and employees
  • Nationwide pledges to make £22m grant funding available to housing charities and organisations by 2023

Nationwide, the world’s largest building society, has announced that applications for its 2021 Community Grants Programme are now open.

After a challenging year for everyone, but especially for those who are most vulnerable in our society, having a place fit to call home is more important than ever before. The programme forms part of Nationwide’s commitment to supporting communities by giving at least one per cent of its pre-tax profits to good causes.

The Community Grants Programme tackles local housing issues by giving charities, community land trusts and housing co-operatives access to grants between £10,000 and £50,000. Applications are open to any organisations that provide solutions to help:

  1. Prevent people from losing their home
  2. Help people into a home
  3. Support people to thrive within the home environment

Nationwide’s Community Boards, made up of community-minded colleagues working at the building society and it’s members, come together to decide which projects should be awarded a grant, and in doing so are supporting their own communities to find solutions to the housing crisis.

Beneficiaries of  Community Grants  include organisations that have helped to support vulnerable families with young children in crisis in Northern Ireland, supported women who have been sexually exploited to navigate the housing system in Luton and those who are homeless and facing poverty in Kingston.

There are currently 11 local Community Boards across the UK. Since 2018 Nationwide has funded 350 projects and awarded £14 million in total through the programme and in 2020/21, just under £4 million in grants were awarded to 99 projects. By 2023, £22 million will have been awarded in total.

This year Nationwide is capping the amount of Community Grant applications it will accept, meaning approximately one in four applicants will be successful. If the cap isn’t reached, applications will close at 11pm on Monday 21 June.

For more information about the scheme and to apply, visit: www.nationwidecommunitygrants.co.uk.

https://youtu.be/Fk9zq-Cd678

Rachel Smith, Senior Social Investment Manager at Nationwide Building Society, said: “The last year has been exceptionally challenging for many of us, but if there’s one thing it’s taught us, it’s the value and importance of community. Since 2018, our Community Grants Programme has supported charitable organisations seeking to make a difference to vulnerable people facing housing challenges across the UK. 

“Everyone should have a place fit to call home which is why our Community Grants Programme is so important to us. As a member owned organisation, we have always seen it as our place to help facilitate positive changes in local communities, and we are encouraging charities to apply to our Community Grants programme.”

Change local lives with a grant of up to £5,000!

The University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants scheme is now open!

The scheme helps the development of projects, community activities and sustainable local action through funding and collaboration.

Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh and/or the neighbouring local authority areas, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.

If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work.

The deadline for application is 5pm on Friday 9th April.

Find out more and apply at https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Call for communities in Scotland to apply for Environmental Grants

The Action Earth campaign, run by national charity Volunteering Matters, has officially launched its 2020 grant giving scheme, encouraging volunteers to get involved in planting activities and habitat builds designed to enrich local nature and help tackle the current climate emergency. 

The campaign, which is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, offers easy to access grants of up to £500 for environmental activities across Scotland.

Volunteering Matters Action Earth grants are available to any group of volunteers carrying out practical environmental improvements or wildlife habitat creation in their local green spaces. Previous projects have included wildflower meadow and pond creation, woodland renovations, shared foraging projects and the establishment of new community gardens or food growing areas. 

Projects should offer a safe volunteering experience and will have to adhere to Scottish Government guidance and safe practice around Covid-19. Groups should only apply once they are certain that activities can be supervised and carried out safely within current and developing recommendations. 

Volunteering Matters Action Earth is especially keen to hear from projects whose work benefits disadvantaged communities especially in urban areas or in places with reduced local amenity. Last year, 167 projects benefited from Action Earth grant funding, and 7,240 volunteers were involved in improving biodiversity in their community. 

Volunteering Matters Action Earth also offers enhanced £500 grants to projects which significantly benefit people with defined health needs. This could include people with learning or physical disabilities, dementia, mental health issues or other medical conditions. 

SNH Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “We all benefit from nature in so many ways – and we all have an important role to play to create a nature-rich future for Scotland. 

“Action Earth projects and volunteers are leading the way with their fantastic work to improve local biodiversity in communities across the country. 

“We look forward to continuing to support this crucial work to improve the state of our nature, which we know is vital to help solve the climate emergency we all face.” 

For those looking for inspiration for their projects, the Volunteering Matters Action Earth website has instructions on how to build bird boxes, bat boxes, frog hibernacula, hedgehog boxes and bee/insect homes. 

More information is available and applications can be made NOW at the Volunteering Matters Action Earth website:

volunteeringmatters.org.uk/project/action-earth

£10,000 grant available for Healthy Heart projects for Scottish communities

Community groups across the whole of Scotland that help local people look after their hearts can now apply for a regional grant up to £10,000, thanks to national charity Heart Research UK and the Subway® brand. Continue reading £10,000 grant available for Healthy Heart projects for Scottish communities

University support backs locals’ vision for a better Edinburgh

Communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians are to benefit from a £70,000 project to support groups tackling vital social issues. The University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants Scheme will help to provide support for children with disabilities, tackle the causes of poverty and aid vulnerable women. Continue reading University support backs locals’ vision for a better Edinburgh