Tag: community support

Strengthening Communities: The Ripple Project grants £10,000 to local initiatives

Local Edinburgh organisations receive transformational grants to expand community programmes in Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig.

The Ripple Project celebrated local community enterprise this weekend, distributing £10,000 of vital funding grants to support community initiatives. 

Now in its third year, ‘LCR Stands Up’ is a participatory budgeting programme, which this year saw over 600 residents in the Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig area vote to back 6 local projects, who each received a grant of up to £2,000 each.

The grants are funded by several private donors, including Harbour Homes, who are the owners of The Ripple’s community hub in Restalrig.

This year’s chosen projects are ‘Lochend Boxing Club’, ‘Tai Chi and Tea @ Craigentinny Garden’, ‘Just Dance at Disneyland’, ‘Investing in Youth Drama’, ‘The Botanical Mural at Craigentinny Primary School’ and ‘Mindfulness for Wellbeing’.

‘LCR Stands Up’ is led by Tristan Green (above), Community Action Worker at The Ripple, who commented: ‘One of the key benefits of participatory budgeting is that our local residents have democratically chosen who receives this additional funding to enhance our community.  

‘We’re proud that over the last 3 years we’ve been able to support initiatives with almost £50,000 of funding. This year’s grants will be used across a spectrum of initiatives, including those supporting greater mental health, the creation of a new mural at a local primary school, the upgrade of fitness equipment at the local boxing gym and helping 20 children go to Disneyland Paris to take part in a performing arts programme.

‘I’d like to thank all of our amazing donors and to SCDC for their continued support of The Ripple and the LCR Stands Up programme and to our local community in North East Edinburgh for their dedication in offering vital voluntary initiatives to support and enhance the lives of residents in such a challenging financial and social climate’.  

For anyone looking to find out more about how to get involved in participatory budgeting or support future ‘LCR Stands Up’ campaigns, contact Tristan at Tristan.green@theripple.org.uk or visit www.rippleproject.co.uk.

Scottish Building Society marks AGM with funding boost for charities

SCOTTISH BUILDING SOCIETY marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing a new round of funding to aid local charities and good causes across the country.

The announcement at the AGM, held on Wednesday this week at The Trades House of Glasgow, Grand Hall, will see the Scottish Building Society Foundation award successful applicants with individual grants of up to £5,000 to help their cause.

Marking the third phase of funding from the Scottish Building Society Foundation, the initiative has donated just under £60,000 to local charities across Scotland since it began last year.

Scottish Building Society Foundation was established by Scottish Building Society in partnership with Foundation Scotland, with the initiative designed to give back to Scottish communities.

Launched in May 2023 to align with the organisation’s 175th anniversary, an incredible £175,000 will be granted to local charities and good causes across Scotland.

Paul Denton, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Building Society, said: “We were delighted to welcome our members to the AGM this year, and  it seemed only right that we announce the latest round of funding for the Scottish Building Society Foundation, designed to support the fantastic causes which make a huge difference in their local areas.

“The creation of the Foundation has formalised our commitment to giving back to communities and through this initiative, in just over twelve months, the Society and its members have already supported good causes right across Scotland, from Wick to Galashiels.

“Since the Foundation began, we’re encouraged by the variety of inspiring community groups and charities across Scotland and look forward to seeing how they use the funding to make a positive impact to the people in their towns and villages.

“We hope the Scottish Building Society Foundation will make a big difference to many people across the country and we look forward to supporting more good causes in the years ahead.

“By investing in good causes, the Society and its members are building stronger communities.”

Applicable to a range of community groups and incentives, the Scottish Building Society Foundation particularly welcomes applications that support:

  • Community facilities and services, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, community development, reduction of poverty, and care for the elderly 
  • Local community events 
  • Youth and education, providing training opportunities and support for vulnerable youngsters 

The first phase of funding attracted 44 applications from across 11 local authority areas of Scotland, with nine successful applicants chosen to receive individual grants of up to £5,000 to help their cause. 

Meanwhile, the second phase of funding attracted 33 applications from across 11 local authority areas of Scotland.

For more information on the Scottish Building Society Foundation or to make an application, visit: https://www.scottishbs.co.uk/scottish-building-society-foundation

Places for People helps to offer more warm spaces in Edinburgh this winter as temperatures drop

With freezing temperatures cutting across the country, social enterprise Places for People is supporting the three warm spaces across Edinburgh to provide a safe and warm space for the community this winter.

It comes as part of their national support of over 25 warm spaces across the UK this year providing safe and warm spaces for people in social isolation and those suffering from fuel poverty over the winter months. 

Warm spaces aim to support local people who may be at risk of fuel poverty or may be feeling lonely or isolated. A warm space can be any community building and will provide a confidential, warm, and friendly environment for people to socialise over refreshments and take part in activities. 

Magdalene Community Centre, Gilmerton Community Centre, and Newtongrange Development Trust are warm spaces open to all where they can meet others, enjoy a hot drink, get involved in activities and stay warm. 

Marcus Hulme, Director of Places Impact at Places for People commented: “As the cost-of-living continues to rise we know that many people are struggling with their energy bills and other general household bills.

“We are committed to finding ways to help and support our communities through these difficult times, and are proud to be supporting spaces for people to go where they can not only feel safe and warm but also where they can socialise and be part of a community.” 

For the second year in a row, Places for People has chosen to support warm spaces within their communities to offer a space for people in social isolation and those suffering from fuel poverty over the winter months.

The impact that cost-of-living crisis is having on local communities continues to show and demand for these types of spaces is growing, with support from their Social Impact fund, Places for People are investing £5 million in activities to support customers and communities including warm spaces to address the cost-of-living crisis. 

Opening times of the warm spaces vary; Gilmerton Community Centre’s warm space is open Tuesday to Thursday from 2 pm until 5:30 pm. Magdalene Community Centre’s warm space is open Monday and Thursday from 9:30 am until 2:45 pm. Newtongrange Development Trust’s warm space is open on Thursdays between 1 pm and 4 pm. 

More information on the warm hubs being supported by Places for People can be found here:

https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/about-us/community/community-projects/  

Amazon Dunfermline supports local school

Employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline honed their DIY skills when they spent the day volunteering at a local high school.

The Amazon team volunteered at Lochgelly High School, a proud and ambitious learning community where everyone strives to achieve their best.

A group of six colleagues from the Amazon team spent over 40 hours at the school painting and building furniture to assist the school with turning a staff resource room into a new classroom.

Thanks to the efforts of the team from Amazon in Dunfermline, the school has saved around £3,000 in refurbishing. The Amazon team also donated school essentials including clothing, school bags and school meals worth over £8,000.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “Our team really enjoyed helping transform the staff resource room at Lochgelly High School into a new classroom.

“I hope the students and teachers are pleased with the results and that they enjoy their new learning environment.”

Kim Skelton, who led the volunteering from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “I love helping people, especially when it’s for our local community.

“As a team at Amazon in Dunfermline, we feel very rewarded that we can help the staff and pupils by donating essential goods. The donations have already brought tears to families who have been able to utilise the products.

“The school has acted as a hub for local families in need and it’s been a lifeline to most this time of year.”

Melissa Mann, a teacher from Lochgelly High School, said: ““Everyone at Lochgelly High School would like to thank Jamie, Kim and the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their amazing work converting the staff resource room into a classroom.

“We are so appreciative of their help – it would have taken us much longer to make the transformation happen without them.”

The volunteering and donation to the school is the latest in a number of support programmes between Amazon and Lochgelly High School in 2023.

Earlier last year, drama and media studies students from the school visited FirstStage Studios, in Leith, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour aimed at inspiring and nurturing young creative talent in Scotland.

At the studio, the students saw how The Rig, which first premiered on Prime Video in January 2023, was filmed and had careers talks with the crew and cast, including Scottish actor Martin Compston.

Lochgelly High School has also taken part in Amazon Future Engineer Class Chats, part of Amazon’s computer science education programme that provides free access to STEM learning resources, including virtual school trips, coding courses, and career talks. As part of Lochgelly’s participation in the programme, Amazon UK Country Manager John Boumphrey spoke to students from Lochgelly High School about his career experience and unique insights.

The Amazon Future Engineer Class Chats programme brings both live and on-demand virtual career talks directly into UK classrooms. Amazon employees working in a wide variety of roles share their insights and experiences with school students, engaging young people about their future opportunities.

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Since the start of 2022, 1.5 million essential products have been donated to more than 150,000 families in need across Scotland and Greater Manchester by a charity initiative called The Multibank.

Founded by Amazon, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy, The Multibank in Lochgelly, known locally as ‘The Big Hoose,’ offers an emergency service for families fighting poverty, providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need and so helping to reduce waste.

Learn more about the ways Amazon supports its communities

Aldi donates £50,000 to amateur Scottish sports clubs in 2023

Retailer’s Scottish Sports Fund initiative has supported more than 60 clubs this year

Aldi Scotland has revealed that it has donated £50,000 to amateur sports clubs this year, supporting more than 60 local clubs across six Scottish regions.  

The retailer’s ‘Scottish Sports Fund’ encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in physical activity within their local communities. It also provides a funding pot for sports clubs to apply for financial support ranging from £500 to £2,500 to help with purchasing new equipment or team kits.  

Since launching in 2016, almost 600 clubs in Scotland have benefitted from a funding worth more than £390,000, as part of Aldi Scotland’s goal to improve community access to sports across the country.  

This year, funds have been donated to sports teams across the country, including Edinburgh, Dundee, Tayside, Perth, Kinross, Fife, Glasgow, the North East, the Highlands and Islands, and Central Scotland.  

One benefactor was the 2011 Girls Team at Musselburgh Windsor Girls Football Club, who received the top award of £2,500. One of the oldest and largest youth football clubs in Scotland, the community club helps girls looking to develop their skills in football.   

Buchan Park Bowling Club also received £1,000 through Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund. Based in West Lothian, the club promotes and trains members of the public in bowling.  

Laura Bosworth, Musselburgh Windsor Girls Football Club, said: “We are so pleased to have been awarded the highest funding of £2,500 from Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund.

“This funding has made a real difference to the work we do in our local community to continue helping girls develop their skills in football.” 

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sports 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.  

“We remain committed to supporting sports clubs across Scotland to help continue the fantastic work they do in their local communities. Every year, we are blown away by the volume of applications we receive, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming even more in 2024.” 

Applications for next year’s Scottish Sports Fund are expected to open in Spring next year.  

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. 

See the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund FAQs and Terms & Conditions  for more info.

Spartans to benefit from Howdens £3m Game Changer Programme

NEW KITCHEN FOR AINSLIE PARK

The next generation of football players are set to benefit from a £3 Million programme aimed at improving clubhouse facilities as Spartans Community Foundation, home of Spartans FC at Ainslie Park, becomes the latest to receive support from Howdens and The Scottish FA.

Spartans FC was named as one of 450 lucky clubs to receive a state-of-the-art kitchen as part of the Howdens Game Changer Programme which was launched earlier this year with an aim to support grassroots football with improved clubhouse facilities, to bring local communities closer together.

Home to the Spartans Men’s, Women’s, under 20’s, National performance teams and 29 youth teams, the Foundation was chosen due to its commitment to make a difference in the local area. Under the umbrella of the Spartans family, the site also hosts the largest para-football section in Scotland, Spartans Connections.

In addition to their football development delivery, Spartans Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Spartans FC, provides free meals to everyone within their education and youth programmes. 

Whilst bringing communities closer together, the pioneering programme will also play a vital role in enabling the club’s charitable arm to provide the much-needed facilities to people in North Edinburgh, so the club continues to thrive. 

Daniel Gerrard, Commercial and Partnerships Manager at Spartans Community Foundation said: “Pilton in Edinburgh is home to some of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK and food poverty is still a big issue here.

“For some children, their school meal is often the main meal of the day. With our new kitchen from Howdens, we will be able to continue supporting those children when they’re not at school with our weekend FooTea, Breakfast clubs and fun-fuelled holiday clubs.

“Spartans Community Foundation not only supports football and para football teams, but the wider community too. Our motto is ‘here for good’ and we exist to make a positive impact in North Edinburgh.

“Our programme’s focus is on education, youth work, physical and mental well-being with a host of activities taking place throughout the week. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has caused increasing demand for our services and is one of the reasons we always provide a nutritious meal at every one of our clubs.

“The new kitchen from Howdens will be a real boost, it will allow us to keep up with demand and to continue providing meals for all who need them.” 

Miller Gillespie, Depot Manager, Howdens Edinburgh, added: “An important part of what we do at Howdens is aiming to make a positive impact on local communities, which is why we are delighted to be able to support Spartans Community Foundation.

“There is a lot of attention on grassroots football and what happens on the pitch, but we believe that the off-pitch facilities are just as important. Clubhouses are often the hub of the community, which is why we’re incredibly excited to see the new installation once it’s complete and how it will benefit the club.”

The installation work is due to start later this year so everyone can benefit from the brand-new kitchen this season.

The Howdens Game Changer programme was launched earlier this year by football legend Julie Fleeting, MBE, who lent her support by driving home the importance of grassroots football and clubhouse facilities on her own career. 

With depots all over the country, Howdens carries one of the largest in-stock ranges in the UK across kitchens, flooring, joinery, and hardware, so that products are readily available, and projects of any size can be completed without delay. 

To find out more about Howdens products visit www.howdens.com

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.

Nando’s to donate over £100,000 to charities across Scotland and Wales

·       36 charities will each receive a £3,000 donation

·       The charities are part of Nando’s ‘No Chuckin’ Our Chicken’ initiative, established ten years ago to help feed communities in need

Nando’s will donate £108,000 to 36 charities across Scotland and Wales to support relieving food poverty in the communities in which its restaurants operate.

Each charity, as members of the Nando’s ‘No Chuckin’ Our Chicken’ initiative, will receive a total of £3,000. The initiative was established in 2013 to help local charities feed communities in need while reducing food waste – with each Nando’s restaurant selecting their own charity partner.

The donations have been funded by the mandatory 10p and 5p charges for single-use paper carrier bags in Scotland and Wales respectively. Nando’s has collected these charges in line with regulations since 2015 and is committed to continuing to donate proceeds to its local charity partners.

Richard Craft, Nando’s UK Community lead, said: “We know that the start of the year can be a particularly challenging time for local charities as everyone looks to cut back on their spending.

“That’s why we’ve committed to making these donations to our charity partners in Scotland and Wales. We hope these donations, on top of our food donation programme, will help our fantastic partners to continue their work in feeding those who need it most.”

Nando’s No Chuckin’ Our Chicken scheme sees any cooked chicken that hasn’t been sold temperature checked, frozen and delivered to each restaurant’s charity partner at the end of every night. To date, Nando’s has provided the equivalent of over 3 million meals to more than 500 UK charities. Nando’s works in partnership with the UK’s largest food redistribution charity FareShare to run the programme.

Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive at FareShare, said: “The cost of living crisis is having a disproportionate impact on those already struggling to make ends meet, and our charities are finding it increasingly hard to meet the skyrocketing demand from those in need. 

“The support from Nando’s and its No Chuckin’ Our Chicken scheme continues to be invaluable in aiding national donations and helping FareShare continue delivering much needed food this winter.”

Charity recipients will be able to use the £3,000 donation as they wish, and some plan to invest in projects including upgrading their kitchens; enhancing their pantries and supporting people with recipes; alongside upskilling their volunteers to enhance their service.

Scottish Charities

RestaurantCharity
Fife LeisureJames Bank Centre
Edinburgh, Fountain ParkOxgangs, Neighbourhood Centre
LivingstonOpen Door Scotland
Edinburgh, Lothian RoadFidra Court Community Kitchen
Edinburgh, Chambers StreetRCCG King of Glory
Edinburgh, Omni CentreEdinburgh Tabernacle (RCCG)
HamiltonBetel of Motherwell
Edinburgh, Straiton ParkFood Facts Friends Foodbank
Edinburgh, Ocean TerminalEdinburgh Tabernacle (RCCG)
Fort KinnairdMayfield and Easthouses Development Trust
East KilbrideCalderwood Baptist Church
Glasgow, The FortThe Everlasting Foodbank
StirlingThe Larder @ Bridge of Allan
Dundee, NethergateDundee Survival Group
Aberdeen, Belmont StreetFareShare Regional Centre: Grampian (CFINE)
St AndrewsCupar Foodbank
FalkirkFalkirk Foodbank
InvernessCafé 1668
Dundee, CamperdownDundee Foodbank
Glasgow, Soar (Xsite)RAMH Restore
Glasgow, Springfield QuayHelp For The Homeless (Glasgow)
Glasgow, SilverbunIsobel Mair Family Centre
Glasgow, St EnochLodging House Mission
Glasgow, BraeheadJ.Praise International
Glasgow, Sauchiehall StreetHelp For The Homeless (Glasgow)
ClydebankFood for Thought (Glasgow)
PaisleyChrist Ambassador Community Church
Glasgow, West EndKindness Homeless Street Team Glasgow
Glasgow, Waterloo StreetGarnethill Multicultural Centre
St Enoch, East End LeisureEmmanuel Christian Ministries