Twelve charities based in Scotlandhave received a £1,000 Christmas gift thanks to the Benefact Group.
The charities were nominated to win a share of £120,000 by members of the public as part of the Benefact Group’s annual 12 days of giving Christmas campaign.
Action Against Stalking, a charity that supports and protects people who are affected by stalking, and Specialist Search Dogs, the organisation that trains dogs to the highest national standards to enable professional search dogs to partake in missing person scenarios, are among the local charities set to benefit from the money following overwhelming public support in the area.
Over 52,000 votes for charities were cast by generous residents of Scotland, helping to spread festive cheer for charities this Christmas.
Thanking supporters in Scotland, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “We are thrilled to be giving £120,000 to 120 fantastic charitable causes across the country and I’d like to thank every single Scotland resident that took the time to nominate a charity close to their hearts.
“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.
“Benefact Group is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, Benefact Trust, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give.”
EIGHT Scottish charities have been awarded up to £5,000 funding from the Scottish Building Society Foundation in a bid to aid their good causes across the country.
The second phase of funding attracted 33 applications from across 11 local authority areas of Scotland, with the successful applicants chosen to receive individual grants to help their cause.
The initiative saw grants provided to charities across Edinburgh; Glasgow; Highlands; East Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; and South Ayrshire.
Organisations to receive funding include Dr Bell’s Family Centre; Glasgow Children’s Holiday Scheme; Croy Public Hall; Highland Action for Little Ones; Mearns Kirk Helping Hands; Carrick Rugby Football Club; Friends of Dundonald Castle; and Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Community Trust.
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.
Applicable to a range of community groups and incentives, the Scottish Building Society Foundation particularly welcomed 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
Previously, the last round of funding, nine successful charities from across Scotland were chosen to receive grants to the collective value of more than £30,000 to support their good cause. The third round of funding is set to open in spring 2024.
Paul Denton, CEO at Scottish Building Society, said:“As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations, we wanted to mark the occasion with an incentive that upholds our core value of giving back to the communities.
“All these charities have a fantastic cause and it’s great to see them being supported by the Scottish Building Society Foundation with funding.
“With the second round of funding now finished, 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 positive impact. We hope to see this go even further with the third round set for next year.
“The Scottish Building Society Foundation, whilst in its infancy, we hope will make a big difference to many people across the country and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Foundation Scotland to grow the incentive in the years ahead.
“By investing in good causes, we are building stronger communities.”
Three good causes across the East of Scotland have been awarded a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.
Sepsis Research (FEAT) secured £15,000 in funding, with FetLor Youth Club and You’re Never Too Old (YNTO) both receiving a £5,000 award. The charities were shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support helping them to continue carrying out their vital work within their communities.
Sepsis Research (FEAT) strives to identify why some people are more affected by sepsis than others. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection when your body’s immune system overreacts, and this can quickly lead to multiple organ failure. Funding from Scotmid will be used to research genetic variants, target new treatments and improve survival rates for those affected.
FetLor Youth Club provides services, including free activities and hot meals, for children and young people aged 7 to 17 in North Edinburgh, many of whom come from disadvantaged areas. Funding from Scotmid will be used to host the 2022 Summer programme which supports over 1000 people, allowing children and their families can spend time together and enjoy life changing experiences.
You’re Never Too Old (YNTO) supports older socially isolated people living in their own homes in the North-West area of Edinburgh. Twice a week they provide transport for members to the club where they take part in stimulating activities, days out and enjoy lunch together. Reducing isolation, making new friends and creating memories is at the heart of everything You’re Never Too Old do. Funding from Scotmid will be used to help cover transportation costs.
Dr Richie Adams, Chief Executive at FetLor Youth Club, said: ” FetLor is delighted to receive this award from Scotmid. We will use the £5,000 funding to give young people a fantastic summer holiday of fun and educational experiences.
“Our programme of events brings communities together and offers opportunities many of our members may not, otherwise, be able to access. Our summer programme is all about giving our young people the best summer ever!”
“This funding will allow us collect, store and process patient DNA samples and investigate why some people get so sick from sepsis and others make a fully recovery. The hope in the future is that this research will be able to develop new treatments so more lives can be saved.”
Anne Stewart from You’re Never Too Old, said: “YNTO is absolutely delighted we have been awarded funding of £5,000.
“We would like to thank Scotmid and all the members for voting for YNTO. The funding is extremely important and will ensure we continue to make a difference to older, socially isolated people.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £500,000 has been awarded to 54 good cause groups enabling key projects to continue operating in their local areas.
“We have seen first-hand how local charities and good cause groups have provided a vital lifeline to many people, particularly over the course of the pandemic, whilst also facing new challenges of their own.
“We are truly delighted to award these good causes with this funding support, which will help them continue providing vital services within their own communities.”
Fourteen creative projects from Edinburgh artists and creative organisations are in motion thanks to £303,559 National Lottery funding in the latest round of Open Fund awards from Creative Scotland.
The former Fire Station at Edinburgh College of Art will house Edinburgh’s SpACE forum from 1 November to 4 December as part of COP26.
The public pop-up exhibition, event space and online venue will welcome leading designers, building environmentalists, architects and heritage organisations coming together to help raise wider understanding of the difference that can be made through more responsible approaches to design and construction.
Rab Bennetts, architect and founder of Bennetts Associates and Chair of SpACE said: “There could hardly be a more appropriate moment to engage with the public about the impact of our buildings and places on climate change.
“As the world’s eyes are on COP26 in Glasgow, our parallel event in Edinburgh can show how the changes that are essential to our homes, workplaces and public buildings are not only possible but can also result in a cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable built environment.”
Through a series of unique, site-specific, public video projection mapping artworks with original soundscapes visual artist and creator Mettje Hunnemanwill highlight and transform Edinburgh’s public green spaces and question our place in nature.
Forest VIDEOLAB will see twelve immersive audio-visual displays over twelve months encouraging audiences to reconnect with nature in new ways.
Mettje Hunneman commented: “Artistic collaborations that would not previously have been possible can now come about, and resources that were previously inaccessible are now available.
“Everybody on the Forest VIDEOLAB team is now very excited to launch these beautiful creations into the public realm.”
Edinburgh-based theatre company, SALTYDOLLS – a partnership of Estlin Love and Fiona Oliver-Larkin will research and develop ABATTOIR.
A 50-minute feminist, two woman show, ABATTOIR is born from a provocation made by Morag Deyes of Dance Base during a SALTYDOLLS residency – “When are you going to make a show about the DARKNESS of MOTHERHOOD?”
Surrogate Productionswill adapt and stage the Scottish and UK premiere of Édouard Louis’ autofiction novel Who Killed My Father in association with Platform Theatre in spring 2022.
Surrogate’s Artistic Director Nora Wardell said: “We’re excited to welcome audiences back to theatres with such a moving and empowering piece that resonates so beautifully with our changing lives today.
“A rare text for Surrogate’s second work – both a deeply personal story of love from son to father and a defiant call for social justice.”
Shortlisted for the 2020 Phil Fox Award, Nibble Nibble Gnaw is a new play by emerging Scottish playwrightIsla Cowan receiving further research and development, exploring hunger and consumption in contemporary society.
Inspired by the story of Hansel and Gretel, this twisted fairy-tale follows a brother and sister as they make their way in a monstrously middle-class world, battling addiction and disorder.
POWA (Protection of Womxn in the Arts) is a musical collective run by Ashley Stein and Siobhan Wilson which provides paid opportunities forwomen-identifying and non-binary musicians and music industry professionals to create new commissions and access mentorship, guidance, and professional resources.
Co-founders Siobhan Wilson and Ashley Stein commented: “The money we have received from the Open Fund will allow us to work with a diverse range of artists and share newly commissioned musical works with our members, helping our music and message to reach a wider audience and providing a platform where women can express their experiences.”
Following the successful release of What We Might Know in 2018, Edinburgh based band Broken Recordswill record their 5th studio album which will be released on their own label, J Sharp Records.
On receiving funding Broken Records’ Iain Turnbull said: “The album is due to be released in Spring 2022, and we’re looking forward to it building on our previous work by allowing us to show our audience a different side to the band.
“After 14 years we have a dedicated following, and this album will allow us to carry on that interaction by sharing stories and our music from a different stage of our lives to connect to what is happening in their own lives.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotlandsaid: “It’s great to see so many projects continue to benefit from Open Fund awards.
“Thanks to the generosity of the National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, these awards are creating many invaluable opportunities for people and communities across Scotland to engage with the arts while enabling artists and creative organisations to develop and grow.”
A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.
