Tag: financial support

Sean Connery Foundation grant for Pilton’s Screen Education Edinburgh

  • The Sean Connery Foundation has announced four new grantees across Scotland
  • The philanthropic foundation aims to accelerate positive change through strategic grant-making to institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas 

The new screen-education focused grantees (in alphabetical order) are:

● Glasgow Media Arts Centre (GMAC) 

● SCREEN EDUCATION EDINBURGH (SEE) 

● Station House Media Unit, Aberdeen (SHMU) 

● The Portal Arts, Glasgow 

Following the establishment of The Sean Connery Foundation in 2022 by the estate of Sir Sean Connery, the Foundation is pleased to announce four new grantees across Scotland.

These are Glasgow Media Arts Centre (GMAC), Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), Station House Media Unit (SHMU), Aberdeen and The Portal Arts, Glasgow.

Each of these grantees, along with the Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF), announced in October 2022, support young people in developing the skills, knowledge, confidence and connections needed for work in the film & TV industry at a time when more creators are choosing to produce content in Scotland.

The Foundation’s commitment to these grantees provides unrestricted funding over 3 years, and totals approximately £1MM. 

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation’s work in Scotland, Jason Connery said: “Before he was a globally recognized movie star, my dad was a lad from Fountainbridge, and he never once forgot that whilst talent might be distributed equally, opportunity is not.

“By supporting access for passionate young people to the screen sector, no matter what their circumstances, we’d like to help dreams come true. We hope that young people with an appetite for visual storytelling and a curiosity about the many behind-the-scenes jobs that make movies possible, will reach out to our grantees and get involved.” 

Foundation Chair, Stephane Connery, added: “The screen sector has enjoyed strong growth in recent years as more global productions choose to shoot their film and TV in Scotland, providing good jobs for industry-ready young people.

“Our screen-education grantees offer a wide variety of programs that introduce participants to the possibility of a career in screen production, often for the first time, and provide a clear path into an exciting industry that is too often considered out-of-reach.” 

Each Foundation grantee delivers hands-on introduction to film-making that spans the entire creative process, from writing, producing, and acting, to sound, lighting, set design, costumes, and editing, enabling participants to try out the wide variety of roles available in the screen industry. 

In addition to accelerating interest in a full scope of film & TV production careers, the Foundation’s grants portfolio aligns with Scotland’s cultural and educational priorities. By supporting organisations focused on helping passionate young people create and share their stories, the Foundation is investing in a new generation of skilled storytellers and a creative workforce with the 21st-Century literacy capabilities vital to Scotland’s future. 

Participants in grantee programs report gaining valuable organisational and collaboration skills, experience in both advocacy and narrative storytelling, and increased confidence, laying the groundwork for fulfilling careers within the creative industry, and beyond. 

The goal of The Sean Connery Foundation is to accelerate positive change through strategic grant-making to education and ocean conservation institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas, the two countries Sir Sean Connery called home. 

About the grantees 

Established in 1982, GMAC Film is an open access media centre based at Trongate 103 in Glasgow. Our mission is to engage young people, communities, and emerging film talent from under-represented groups to: 

● Build confidence, skills and aspirations 

● Increase access to education, training and employment 

● Raise awareness of social issues through film 

● Create a fair, ethical, and diverse screen sector in Scotland

It achieves this through six main pillars of work: youth work, education, employability, filmmaking, partnerships, and community engagement. GMAC Film seeks to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in projects free at the point of delivery so that low income is never a barrier to taking part, giving confidence, knowledge and ambition to those who become involved, allowing each voice to be heard. 

Euan Platt, CEO of GMAC Film has said: “GMAC Film has been championing diversity and increased access in the screen sector for over forty years, so we are thrilled to be selected as one of the Connery Foundation’s new grantees.

“This support will allow GMAC Film to sustain and develop its work across our wide range of programmes for young people, communities, and emerging film talent, and help ensure that more people- regardless of background- have the opportunity to use filmmaking as a way of conveying personal experiences, highlighting social issues, and telling powerful stories.” 

Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE) provides high-quality screen education, training, and production programs for all ages.

Originally founded as Pilton Video in 1981, SEE specialises in developing people from areas of deprivation, from rural areas and low-income backgrounds, those living with a disability, and those from diverse backgrounds. 

Graham Fitzpatrick, Principal Officer for SEE has said: “We are incredibly thankful for the support from The Sean Connery Foundation in establishing our SEE Young Filmmakers Hub.

“This funding will enable us to provide invaluable opportunities to young people between 12 and 18 who are passionate about filmmaking, regardless of their circumstances. With this support, we can help them develop the skills, knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to pursue a career in the film, TV and media industries.

“The vision of The Sean Connery Foundation, inspired by the legacy of Edinburgh born and bred Sir Sean Connery, resonates deeply with our organisation’s mission.

“By supporting local talent and inspiring young people in the city where he grew up, the Foundation is truly connecting with Sir Sean Connery’s roots.

“We are honoured to be representing Edinburgh in the Foundation’s funding portfolio and be part of the Foundation’s efforts to make a positive impact in Scotland’s cultural and educational priorities.

“We look forward to making a meaningful impact in the lives of aspiring young filmmakers and creating a more inclusive and accessible film industry in Edinburgh and beyond.” 

Station House Media Unit (SHMU), established as a charity in 2003, is one of the core cultural organisations in North East Scotland and is at the forefront of community media development in the UK.

We are a community anchor organisation, supporting residents in the seven regeneration areas of Aberdeen in film and TV production, radio and podcast broadcasting, traditional and on-line publications, music production and digital inclusion.

These platforms are used as vehicles for personal and collective change; supporting skills development, active citizenship, community capacity building and community development.

The organisation also supports other disadvantaged communities, both geographic and communities of interest, including an employability and training arm, and an adult services arm which provides support and opportunities for adults with barriers, including those who are criminal justice experienced and in recovery.

We are also and SQA accredited learning centre offering a range of high-quality film and media qualifications, including the delivery of the Creative & Digital Media Foundation Apprenticeship in secondary schools across Aberdeenshire. 

Murray Dawson, Founder & Chief Executive of Station House Media Unit added: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected by the Foundation for this award as it aligns perfectly with our core values; transforming the lives of young people from disadvantaged communities through creative film & media.

“This funding will allow us to turbocharge our moving image programmes with young people across the region; expanding existing successful programmes while introducing brand new initiatives co-designed alongside the young people who will directly benefit.

“This generous contribution from the Foundation will undoubtedly lead to raised aspirations of young people across the North East, supporting them to realise careers in the film-making industry, whilst providing them with a transferable skillset that will also build their confidence and self-esteem.

“We can’t wait to see the impact this investment will have on the young people who participate – and to watching all the great films they’ll be making along the way.”

 

The Portal Arts is an award winning creative media and arts charity based in Govan, Glasgow.

We deliver two strands of work; community media access and Creative Steps for positive mental health. Through co-creative productions, we use filmmaking as a tool for community engagement, to raise issues and represent local people.

Our socially engaged production model delivers media skills through participation, mentorship and training, with the aim of improving wellbeing and addressing inequality.

Creative Steps is a positive mental health programme for adults who are experiencing enduring mental health conditions. We also recently launched The Portal Studios, the film production arm of the charity, which focuses on impact filmmaking and bringing unheard voices to wider audiences. 

Moya Crowley, CEO of The Portal Arts has said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding gift from the Connery Foundation, which will allow us to create a significant body of work with young people from under-represented backgrounds, including those with neurodivergent conditions.

“We aim to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and enable access for young people by engaging them at an early stage of the filmmaking process, providing them with knowledge, skillset, and confidence, through the creation of short form filmmaking and impact producing, on a broad scale.” 

For the time being, the Foundation is not accepting unsolicited grant requests.  

For more information on The Sean Connery Foundation: 

conneryfoundation.org

Scottish residents urged to nominate a charity to receive share of £1 million 

Residents in Scotland can nominate a good cause to receive £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

Now in its fifth year, the Movement for Good Awards will once again see more than £1million gifted to charities up and down the UK and Ireland. 

Since the awards began, people in Scotland have submitted over 141,400 nominations and 179 Scottish based charities have benefited from valuable donations. 

While the pandemic and the current economic climate has had an adverse effect on cash donations, the amount of people choosing to volunteer their time for a good cause is rising.

Scottish residents can now give a minute to nominate a charity online at www.movementforgood.com.

The Movement for Goods Awards has gifted over £4million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started.

Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. 150 winning charities will be announced from 1 June, with a further 150 revealed in September. Further gifts will be awarded throughout the year.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, says: “We are immensely proud to be supporting many hundreds of charities through our Movement for Good Awards for the fifth year running.

“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference so we’re asking that people give a minute of their time to nominate a cause they care about to receive an award.

“Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and all of our available profits go to good causes. With financial strain continuing to impact many households the Movement for Good Awards represents a great way for people to continue to support causes close to their hearts, without worrying about an additional cost.

“Any charity can win no matter how large or small and even with just one nomination. So find a minute, jump online and nominate – because that small amount of time is invaluable for charities.”

Benefact Group has donated almost £200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has just been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK2. The organisation aims to reach £250million in donations by 2025.

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.

Visit www.movementforgood.com to nominate a charity now.

Increased support for students

Uplift in bursaries and loan packages

Financial support available to undergraduate students will rise by £900 from the start of the 2023-24 academic year.

Estranged students in higher education and other undergraduate learners with the lowest household income will see their maximum support package increase from £8,100 to £9,000 per year, as the ceiling for all student loan applications is uplifted by £900.

The annual non-repayable Care Experienced Bursary for eligible higher education students will also increase to £9,000. In further education, a £900 increase will also be applied to the maximum bursary rate available to care experienced students.

These increases will be available to students already at college and university and for new students beginning their studies from Autumn 2023.

Students in need of immediate financial support for the 2022-23 academic year are still able to apply to their college or university for assistance through their Discretionary Funds.

Higher and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “This rise in support will help to alleviate the financial pressures facing many students as we grapple with the cost-of-living crisis.

“The maximum financial support package available to the most vulnerable students and those from the lowest household incomes in Higher Education will rise to £9,000. This is the next step in delivering our commitment to provide a total package of student support equivalent to the living wage.

“Increasing the Care Experienced Bursary will help more of Scotland’s Care Experience community to access further and higher education and fulfil their potential.”

Who Cares? Scotland CEO Louise Hunter said: “It’s great to hear news of the £900 increase in financial support available to students in Scotland. I’m sure this will be welcomed by many students who are struggling to balance their education and finances during the cost-of-living crisis.

“Raising the Care Experienced Student Bursary to £9,000 per year responds to the specific challenges this group can face. For many Care Experienced people without family to rely on for support during their studies, they can face greater barriers in realising their lifelong right to education.

“We know that Care Experienced people are often disproportionality disadvantaged compared to their peers and in recognition of this Who Cares? Scotland will continue to fight for the rights of Care Experienced Students – as committed to within The Promise. This means we can ensure all members of our community are given the right support to thrive.”

Local author launches new history book thanks to Scotmid donation

Three Scotmid East Committee Members attended a local book launch at The Crannie Community Hub in Edinburgh’s Old Town after the community-based Scottish retailer provided a £5,000 donation towards the funding of the book’s print, design and publishing costs.

Local author, Richard Rodger, has released his latest book, Happy Homes: Cooperation, Community and the Edinburgh Colonies, following publication this month. The book explores the building and management of 11 different sites of houses built for workers, to a distinctive design by the Edinburgh Cooperative Building Company (ECBC).

Scotmid provided the funding to help shed light on the history of co-operatives across Edinburgh and their importance during a time when Scotmid Co-operative (formerly St. Cuthbert’s Co-operative) was formed.

Harry Cairney said: “Richard’s book provides great insight into the local community, and we were more than happy to support his book launch. The Edinburgh ‘Colonies’ have been a distinctive housing phenomenon for more than 160 years and have a remarkable history, which I’m sure will be of great interest to readers.

“As a convenience retailer, based in the heart of those communities we serve, this donation is just one of the ways we look to provide support to individuals, charities and good cause groups.”

Richard Rodger said: “I am so grateful for the support from Scotmid which has helped me to bring this book from an initial idea through to publication. It’s great to see it in print and I was honoured that Harry, Eddie and Brian took the time to come along to our local community hub for the launch.”

Pictured from left to right: Eddie Thorn, Director and East Regional Committee Member, Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, Brian Weddell, East Regional Committee Member, and author, Richard Rodger.

HMRC: 323,700 tax credits customers have one month left to renew

323,700 customers are yet to renew their tax credits ahead of the deadline, with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reminding them to do so by 31 July – or their payments will stop.

Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support – so it’s important that customers renew before the deadline to ensure they don’t miss out on money they’re entitled to.

Customers can renew their tax credits for free via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.

Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of their renewal, be reassured it’s being processed and know when they’ll hear back from HMRC.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “There’s just one month to go for our tax credits customers to renew. It’s easy to do online or on the HMRC app – search ‘tax credits’ on GOV.UK.” 

Customers choosing to use the HMRC app on their smartphone can:

  • renew their tax credits
  • make changes to their claim
  • check their tax credits payments schedule, and
  • find out how much they have earned for the year

HMRC has released a video to explain how tax credits customers can use the HMRC app to view, manage and update their details.

If there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could affect their tax credits claims, they must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect tax credits payments include changes to:

·         living arrangements

·         childcare

·         working hours, or

·         income (increase or decrease)

The UK Government has recently announced a Cost of Living Payment of £650, payable in two separate lump sums of £326 and £324, for households receiving certain benefits or tax credits, to help with the cost of living.

If tax credits only, they are eligible for each payment. HMRC will contact them and issue payments automatically, with the first being made by the autumn. Customers do not need to contact HMRC or apply for the payment.

More information on the Cost of Living Payment, including eligibility, is available on GOV.UK.

Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit by the end of 2024. Many customers who move from tax credits to Universal Credit could be financially better off and can use an independent benefits calculator to check. If customers choose to apply sooner, it is important to get independent advice beforehand as they will not be able to go back to tax credits or any other benefits that Universal Credit replaces.

HMRC is urging customers never to share their HMRC login details. Someone using them could steal from the customer or make a fraudulent claim in their name. HMRC is also warning people that if someone contacts them saying that they are from HMRC and wants the customer to transfer money urgently or give personal information, they should never let themselves be rushed. 

The department urges people to take their time and check HMRC’s advice about scams on GOV.UK.

Young people urged to apply for Job Start Payment

Extra money for unemployed young people who are starting work

Eligible 16-24 year olds who are already receiving certain other benefits or tax credits are being encouraged to apply for Job Start Payment – a one-off payment worth £267.65, or £428.25 if the applicant has children.

Job Start Payment helps young people with the costs of starting a job after a period of being unemployed. The payment can help with the costs of travel, work clothes or childcare.

Speaking at Start Scotland, which delivers an employability programme supporting young people in Edinburgh, Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “Our Job Start Payment provides financial support for eligible young people who are starting a new job.

“We have provided this payment since summer 2020 and want to see even more people making use of it, particularly given the current cost of living pressures.

“The payment is designed to support young people with the costs of starting a job by relieving financial pressures, as they wait for their first pay cheque.

“We are also helping young people to access education and employment by providing free bus travel to all under 22 year olds. This will help young people travel sustainably, while cutting commuting costs for people starting a new job – meaning that young people can use their Job Start Payment to pay for other costs.

“I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to find out more from Social Security Scotland and apply for this benefit, which is only available in Scotland.”

Job Start Payment is available to eligible young people who have been offered a job after being out of work for at least six months to the day they were offered the job and are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

Care leavers can apply for a further year, up to the day before their 26th birthday, and only need to be out of work and in receipt of a qualifying benefit on the day of their job offer.

Young people can find pre-application advice for Job Start Payment, which includes eligibility and award amounts, and apply at the mygov.scot website.

HMRC customers in Scotland encouraged to check out financial support available to them

Customers in Scotland are being encouraged to check online for the range of financial support available from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to help with living costs.

HMRC has listed the support available in one place to ensure people are not missing out and can easily find out online if they are eligible and how to claim.

The new GOV.UK page pinpoints people to a one-stop shop of all the benefits, credits and allowances available to individuals and families, making it easier than ever for people to claim what they are entitled to.

This includes:

Child Benefit

Child Benefit can be claimed if someone is responsible for bringing up a child who is:

  • under 16
  • under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child. It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

Tax-Free Childcare

Working parents can get assistance of up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of their children to help with the costs of childcare until the September after their 11th birthday. If a child is disabled, this goes up to £1,000 every 3 months until the September after their 16th birthday (up to £4,000 a year).

Marriage Allowance

Marriage Allowance allows individuals to transfer 10% (£1,260) of their personal tax allowance to a husband, wife or civil partner if they earn less than the personal tax allowance, which is usually £12,570.

Work-related expenses and uniform allowances

Tax relief can be claimed on money spent on things like work uniform and clothing, tools, subscriptions or business travel.

The GOV.UK page also includes guidance for those on a low income wanting to make the most of their savings and help for those struggling to pay their tax bill.

Myrtle Lloyd, Director General Customer Services Group, HMRC: “We understand these are very difficult times for many so it’s vitally important we continue to highlight the range of support available.

“We’d encourage those who think they may be eligible for support to take a look and claim what they’re entitled to – it could make an important difference to household budgets at a time when it’s needed the most.”

Additional online tools and guidance are available to help customers check if they are eligible for each service – as well as extra support to guide them through the application process.

Lifeline: Further £2 million to support outdoor education 

Outdoor education centres facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply this month to a new £2 million fund.

Available for private sector and third sector centres, the support will help with running costs and enable staff to deliver more outdoor learning for schools.

The funding brings the Scottish Government’s support for the sector during the pandemic to £4.5 million.

Minister for Children & Young People Clare Haughey said: “For many organisations that provide residential outdoor education, the pandemic has caused significant challenges and it’s been a really hard time for them.

“The experiences provided by these centres are vitally important for our children and young people. This additional £2 million will help outdoor education centres through what we hope will be the final phase of this pandemic.

“It will mean more opportunities for children and young people to get the engaging, enriching and exciting outdoor education experiences they deserve.”

Martin Davidson, The Outward Bound Trust, said: “Outdoor Centres warmly welcome the additional emergency funding from the Scottish Government. Whilst technically outdoor residential experiences have been able to resume since August, coronavirus continues to make the return to financial sustainability challenging.

“The funding will help ensure that outdoor centres do not close, and that the transformative experiences they offer remain available to future generations of young people.”

The £2 million in funding is on top an initial £2 million provided in early 2021 and a further £500,000 provided for a range of outdoor learning projects during summer of that year, bringing the Scottish Government’s total additional investment in outdoor learning to £4.5 million.

Funding available for Edinburgh B&Bs impacted by Hogmanay cancellations

Edinburgh launches Discretionary Fund Bed & Breakfast Business Support Grant

A new business grant fund offering vital money to support Edinburgh’s B&B and guesthouse businesses directly impacted by the cancellation of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Events has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The Discretionary Fund Bed & Breakfast Business Support Grant will support those B&B/guesthouse businesses that lost revenue over the critical new year period with a one-off payment of £1,000 or £2,750 depending on whether the premises are registered for business rates or Council Tax respectively.

Businesses that are eligible and have received Covid-19 business grant support in the past will be contacted directly for additional information required to process this payment.

Any B&B businesses that haven’t received previous Covid-19 business support funding but commenced trading before 30 November 2021 can apply by going to the City of Edinburgh Council website and following the application process.

The fund will close for applications at 10am on 17 February 2022 or earlier if the fund has reached capacity. As the fund is limited, in the event of an oversubscription of applications, awards will be made on a first come first serve basis.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Fair Work Convener, said: ““This winter has been incredibly difficult for B&B owners and everyone they employ so it’s really important that they have access to all support available.

“This funding from the Scottish Government comes at a critical time and I want to urge everyone in the sector to apply quickly for financial help.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Fair Work Vice Convener, added: “Many of our city’s B&Bs are small, independent, family-operated businesses and every loss of income counts.

“We know that the necessary cancellation of Hogmanay events was another big blow to B&B owners but I hope this fund helps this vital part of our economy to regain strength.”

For questions, please email BGI@edinburgh.gov.uk

Scottish government: Financial support for professional sports

Professional sports affected by the recent COVID-19 crowd limits have been allocated £2.55 million in financial support from the Scottish Government.

The funding comes from the £5 million announced for professional sport on 5 January, as part of £375 million in wider business support.  It will  support up to 75% of losses after the Omicron outbreak saw a limit of 500 introduced on outdoor crowds.

This restriction will be lifted tomorrow – Monday 17 January.

The funding will also support clubs impacted by the limit of 200 on indoor sports. The traditional Boxing day Premier League football fixtures and  horse racing at Musselburgh on New Years Day were among the events affected by the restrictions.

Sports minister Maree Todd said: “These sports  clubs are at the heart of their communities, but many of them have suffered real hardships as the necessary COVID-19 lockdown restrictions meant attendances were heavily restricted.

“This funding will help to ensure clubs are able to bridge the gap in revenue, as spectators  return safely to sports events in larger numbers when these restrictions are eased next week.

“This Government has pledged to provide  funding to support organisations affected by the necessary measures to keep us all safe and these allocations show we are doing this.

“We will continue to work in partnership to support all our sports clubs to help them through this difficult time and to ensure this  funding can be accessed by all clubs as efficiently as possible.”

The funding package is split as follows:

  • Ice hockey – £350,000
  • Basketball – £20,000
  • Horse Racing – £265,000
  • Rugby – £125,000
  • Football – £1.79million

Total: £2.55 million

Further funding from the £5million may be allocated in the event of further restrictions having significant financial impacts.

Ice hockey and basketball clubs affected, deemed to be most in need, will receive their funding directly from sportscotland.

The other sports will see the funding provided to governing bodies who will then distribute it to members. The amounts for each football club will be finalised by the SFA/SPFL  after this weekend’s fixtures, as they are included in the period of restrictions.