Tonight: Knitters and Hookers in Drylaw!

PUBLIC URGED TO GET BEHIND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS SHORTLISTED IN THE PEOPLE’S PROJECTS

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of five inspiring local community projects shortlisted in STV’s transmission area in Edinburgh and the East to win a share of £3 million in National Lottery Funding
All five will be spotlighted on prime time STV so that the public can see for themselves the great work they do and can vote for this year’s worthy winners
Voting opens at 9am on Monday 1 April at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk.

Five local community groups are set to have their inspiring work spotlighted on STV as they compete for a crucial share of £3 million in National Lottery funding. One of them is Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, who are bidding for a new minibus.

The five have all been shortlisted as part of this year’s The People’s Projects – a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and STV, which gives the public a unique say in where National Lottery money should go in their local area.

All five will have the opportunity to showcase their work on prime time TV as they go head to head in a public vote to help them make an extraordinary difference to their community.

Now in its 14^th year, The People’s Projects celebrates some of the incredible projects The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players to communities across the UK, has supported over the past year.

In total, 95 community-based groups are now shortlisted across the UK. In each region, the three with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £50,000. This will help them to continue their work to bring people together, build stronger communities and make a difference to people’s lives. The entire amount up for grabs across the UK is a life-changing £3 million.

Voting opens at 9am on Monday 1 April at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk.

Details of the shortlisted projects:

STV News at Six will feature the projects over five nights, starting on Monday 1^st April across STV’s transmission area in Edinburgh and the East when the Benarty Forum project by Benarty Community Forum in Lochgelly will be featured.

If successful, this community group will receive £17,346 to expand into the vacant property which is next door to their community shop. They will then be able to buy the necessary equipment and furniture to open a community café for local people. Volunteers will receive training and will be put through the necessary qualifications in food hygiene and First Aid Training.

On Tuesday it will be the turn of the A community continues to be connected by a shiny new bus project by Drylaw Telford Community Association SCIO, based in Edinburgh.

They hope to receive £34,794 for a project to allow the centre to buy an accessible mini bus which will be used by a variety of local groups, schools and organisations. This will include young people, people who have difficulty walking, wheelchair users and housebound older people to attend groups at the centre. The mini bus will also be made available to local partner organisations to help them transport their members.

Wednesday it will be the Edinburgh Diwali project by Edinburgh Diwali. They are competing for £50,000 to expand the annual Edinburgh Diwali Festival bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities and religions from across Edinburgh to celebrate together through music, dancing, feasting and fireworks. This free Festival promotes friendship and understanding across cultures and over 1000 Edinburgh primary school children will participate in workshops and activities.

Thursday’s programme will feature Kidz n Kin project by Kidz-Eco CIC, based in Livingston, who hope to receive £45,604. This community group hope to use the funds to open an Early Years Community Space in The Centre, Livingston. Working with local partners including NHS and West Lothian Council they will be able to provide pre-birth and early years support to hundreds of families weekly through classes, activities, meeting space, play area and café.

The final project to be shown on Friday will be A Space to Play project by Bonnyrigg After School Club, based in Bonnyrigg. If successful, they will receive £50,000to move into a central location in Bonnyrigg from which they can expand their early years nursery service to help meet demand locally. The building will also be used as a community centre to allow a variety of other groups and organisations to make use of the space and facilities.

Steven Ladurantaye, STV’s Head of News and Current Affairs, said: “The People’s Projects can make a real difference to communities and lives across STV thanks to funding from The National Lottery and we are looking forward to highlighting the incredible shortlisted projects and groups from across Scotland. All you have to do is tune into STV News at Six and vote for your favourite project.”

Martin Cawley, Scotland Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “As the largest funder of community activity in the UK, we are proud to support groups that are led by the vision, determination and drive of local people to strengthen communities.

“In previous years we have seen a wide range of successful projects, from a café supporting young carers to animal-assisted therapy for people living with dementia and the development of a bee-friendly orchard. The People’s Projects is a chance for you to have your say on how National Lottery funding can help your community to thrive.”

Since 2005 around £42 million has been awarded through this partnership to 960 good causes across the UK.

Voting closes at noon on Monday 15 April 2019.

People can vote once per region and will need an email address or mobile phone number to vote*. For Ts & Cs please visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk