Tag: funding

Movement for Good awards: Scottish charities win £10,000 each

Four Scottish charities scoop share of £300,000

Four charities based in Scotland have shared a £40,000 windfall as part of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group’s annual Movement for Good awards.

Cutting Edge Theatre Ltd, Peebles CAN, Towards Transition Stirling SCIO and Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland are four of 30 charities chosen by a panel of judges that will benefit from the money. 

The fund will allow Cutting Edge Theatre Ltd, which aims to make a difference to those who are marginalised by using creativity, to kick-start its new project, Inspire Young Company – an initiative which will increase the confidence, self-esteem and communication of young people with a learning disability through theatre training and performance. 

Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland will be using the donation to identify victims of human trafficking, to ensure they are recovered safely and enable them to get the specialist support they need.

Each of the £10,000 awards are designed to help charities make a real difference in their communities. Applications were assessed against four key areas; impact and effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and care and compassion.

Mark Hews, Group CEO of Ecclesiastical, said: “At Ecclesiastical we believe business should be a force for good. Charitable causes need sustained support and a sense of financial stability.

“Through the second phase of our Movement for Good awards we are actively championing innovation, giving charities the backing they need to propel their plans forward and turn creative ideas into practical solutions that benefit society.

“We know that £10,000 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.”

“Ecclesiastical, the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK, is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business.”

Suzanne Lofthus, Artistic Director at Cutting Edge Theatre Ltd, said: “We believe that every person has potential and we work with those who often feel more marginalised to realise this.

“Nothing gives us greater pleasure than seeing someone discover their talents and abilities. Winning this donation will make a huge difference to the lives of 20 young learning disabled artists, giving them a taste of working professionally in the performing arts. It will open up opportunities for them to be artists in their own right, bringing a much needed and desired diversity to our industry.”

Elyse Kirkham, Senior Philanthropy Officer at Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland, said: “At Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland we work tirelessly to ensure the identification, safe recovery and long-term wellbeing of survivors of human trafficking in Scotland.

“We support survivors to rebuild their lives, minimising their risk of re-trafficking, strengthening their independence skills and ability to integrate into the community. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of funders like Ecclesiastical and their Movement for Good awards. Together we can make a difference!”

For the third year running, the awards, set up by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical, will see a total of £1million go to charities across the UK.

An amazing 210,000 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards during its first phase earlier this year, with over 13,000 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated and were awarded £1,000 each.

Phase two saw over 1,000 project submissions for the £10,000 awards. Following a review of all the applications, a panel of judges made their final selection of the 30 winning projects. The remaining money will be awarded at a later date.

For further information on the Movement for Good awards please visit: www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good 

  1. Full list of 30 winning charities:

NEPACS http://www.nepacs.co.uk/

Sharks Community Trust https://www.salesharks.com/community/

Gloucester Rugby Foundation https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/foundation

Cutting Edge Theatre Ltd http://cuttingedgetheatre.co.uk/

Woodhorn Charitable Trust https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/

The Foundling Museum https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/

Sittingbourne Heritage Museum https://www.sittingbourne-museum.co.uk/

The Cardiff Institute for the Blind https://sightlife.wales/

Aids Care Education and Training https://www.acet-uk.com/

Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership Limited https://kidsown.ie/

FarmAbility https://farmability.org.uk/

Abby’s Heroes https://www.abbysheroes.org/

Children with Cancer Fund (Polegate) https://www.childrenwithcancerfund.org.uk/

Chums Charity https://chumscharity.org/

Phenalgin’s Friends http://www.penhaligonsfriends.org.uk/

Seal CofE Primary School https://www.sealcommunityschoolfarm.co.uk/

Peebles CAN https://www.peeblescan.org/

Link Visiting Scheme https://www.linkvisiting.org/

Dorset Mind https://dorsetmind.uk/

NE Youth https://neyouth.org.uk/

First Light South West Ltd http://www.firstlight.org.uk/

Humans MCR https://humansmcr.org/

Towards Transition Stirling SCIO https://www.transitionstirling.org.uk/

Common Ground CLG https://www.commonground.ie/

Sheffield Wildlife Trust https://www.wildsheffield.com/

Bethnal Green Nature Reserve Trust https://phytology.org.uk/

Transition Network https://transitionnetwork.org/

The Maggie Oliver Foundation https://www.themaggieoliverfoundation.com/

Hillingdon Women’s Centre https://hillingdonwomenscentre.org/

Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland https://sohtis.org/

From MND patients to the Prime Minister: We need your help NOW


MND letter relays the country in bid for £50 million from UK Government

Doddie Weir OBE and Euan MacDonald MBE have kickstarted a nationwide ‘MND letter relay’ from Scotland to 10 Downing Street. The letter, which has already been signed by hundreds of motor neurone disease (MND) patients from across the country, calls for the UK Government to invest in MND research.

United to End MND – a campaign led by charities MND Scotland, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and MND Association, as well neurologists and people living with MND – calls for £50 million of UK Government funding over five years to target MND research.

To catapult the campaign, patients throughout the UK have now written and signed a personal letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which will be presented at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 21st September, by rugby legends Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast to launch activities on Thursday, Doddie said: “We are continuing to fight to try and make a difference, and to try and find a cure for this horrific issue of MND. The UK has the best researchers in the world and at the moment we’re nearly there to find a stoppage or a cure.

“So this letter, and the money from the Government, will make a massive difference. This will give a lot of hope to people with MND. We need to take it to the next level and with that we need the Government’s help.”

Before his departure to London, Doddie is leading the charge by sending the patient letter on a relay across the nation, to encourage more people living with MND to sign it, starting with fellow MND campaigner, Euan MacDonald in Edinburgh.

Euan, who has MND, is the co-founder of the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research. He was joined there by Dr Suvankar Pal, Consultant Neurologist from the University of Edinburgh and Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, who are showing their support for the letter.

The letter states ‘MND is a death sentence’ but that ‘research has now reached a point where a cure or life-saving treatments can be found’. It continues ‘The current piecemeal and protracted approach of funding individual projects will not deliver the life-saving treatments we need …we urgently appeal for action and investment now’.

Euan said: “I very much believe the goal of finding treatments for MND is achievable. The letter and supporting statements highlight the personal impact this disease has had on families like mine and others up and down the country. 

“We are trying to ensure other people’s children, spouses, parents and siblings don’t have to go through what ours have. I’d like to appeal to the Prime Minister to back MND patients and have confidence in UK Science achieving what may have previously seemed impossible – a cure for MND.”

Currently the UK Government’s funding for targeted MND research stands at less than £5 million a year, which the campaign coalition says is not enough. £50 million from the UK Government over five years would fund a virtual institute for MND Research, providing the infrastructure needed for accelerating treatments for MND.

The funding bid has already been debated in the UK Parliament after a petition to garner public support gathered more than 100,000 signatures in just three weeks. Members of the campaign coalition have met with key politicians to explain the desperate need for the cash, to shore up the investment made by charities and industry.

With the support of MND charities and neurologists, campaigners are now taking the call directly to Downing Street and people living with MND still have the opportunity to add their signature here: patientsunited2endmnd.org.

Dr Suvankar Pal, the Co-Lead Investigator of MND-SMART, the UK’s biggest drug trial for MND, said: “This is an exciting time for MND research with many centres across the UK working on important areas ranging from drug discovery to delivery of treatment trials.

“We fully support this initiative which promotes collaborative working and much needed investment in research with the aim of delivering new treatments for MND in a timely way.”

Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “We are united here today to ensure the voices of those living with MND are heard by the UK Government.

“The average life expectancy for someone with MND is just 18 months from diagnosis. People like Doddie and Euan do not have time to wait, and neither does our search for a cure.

“MND Scotland’s vision is a world without MND. But we are only able to fund the pioneering research taking place at the Euan MacDonald Centre, and other institutes across the UK, because of the generosity of our supporters. MND isn’t incurable, it’s just under-funded. Together, we will beat MND, but we cannot do it without the UK Government’s support.”

To find out more about the campaign visit www.mndscotland.org.uk/united or tweet your support @MNDScotland @MNDAssoc and @MNDoddie5 using #United2EndMND.

Last chance for Healthy Heart projects to apply for £10,000 grant from Heart Research UK

Community groups in 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.

The deadline for applying is 5pm on Monday 20th September 2021.

The Heart Research UK and Subway® Healthy Heart Grant is available for new and innovative projects that promote healthy hearts and reduce the risk of heart disease in the community. Projects should deliver health initiatives such as cooking skills and healthy eating and should encourage people to get more active and promote positive mental wellbeing.

The £10,000 has been raised locally in Subway® stores throughout the region. Previous grantees from Scotland have included the Feel Good Women’s Group, who led fitness and cooking classes for local women.

In response to the pandemic, we have adapted the criteria for our Healthy Heart grants. We will accept applications for projects which can be delivered remotely or with social distancing measures in place. This year we are also accepting applications for the funding of equipment only.

Community groups in 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.

The deadline for applying is 5pm on Monday 20th September 2021.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “Through our partnership with Subway®, we hope to encourage people all across the country to make healthier choices and give them practical help to do so.

“This grant is available to ensure everyone can benefit from a healthier, happier and longer life.

“We’re looking for new and innovative projects that really have an impact, especially if they aim to improve the health of at risk or hard to reach communities. We’re really grateful to the many customers and staff at Subway® stores who have raised the money to make this possible.”

The deadline for applying is the Monday 20th September 2021 and this can be done by visiting:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-heart-grants/

For more information, please call 0113 234 7474 or email: 

healthyheartgrants@heartresearch.org.uk

Additional £5.4 billion for NHS COVID-19 response in England over next six months

Includes £1 billion to help tackle COVID-19 backlogs, delivering routine surgery and treatments for patients

The NHS will receive an extra £5.4 billion over the next six months to support its response to COVID-19 and help tackle waiting lists, the Prime Minister and Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid have announced.

The funding will immediately go towards supporting the NHS to manage the immediate pressures of the pandemic. This includes an extra £1 billion to help tackle the COVID-19 backlog, £2.8 billion to cover related costs such as enhanced infection control measures to keep staff and patients safe from the virus and £478 million to continue the hospital discharge programme, freeing up beds.

The additional £5.4 billion brings the government’s total investment to health services for COVID-19 so far this year to over £34 billion, with £2 billion in total for the NHS to tackle the elective backlog.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The NHS was there for us during the pandemic – but treating Covid patients has created huge backlogs.

“This funding will go straight to the frontline, to provide more patients with the treatments they need but aren’t getting quickly enough.

“We will continue to make sure our NHS has what it needs to bust the Covid backlogs and help the health service build back better from the worst pandemic in a century.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The NHS has been phenomenal as it has faced one of the biggest challenges in its history.

“Today’s additional £5.4 billion funding over the next 6 months is critical to ensuring the health service has what it needs to manage the ongoing pandemic and helping to tackle waiting lists.

“We know waiting lists will get worse before they get better as people come forward for help, and I want to reassure you the NHS is open, and we are doing what we can to support the NHS to deliver routine operations and treatment to patients across the country.”

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: “This funding provides welcome certainty for the NHS, which has pulled out all the stops to restore services, while caring for thousands of seriously ill Covid patients requiring hospital treatment during the toughest summer on record.

“This additional investment will enable the NHS to deliver more checks, scans and procedures as well as helping to deal with the ongoing costs and pressures of the pandemic as the NHS heads in to winter.”

The UK Government has been clear that the NHS will ‘get what it needs’ to recover its usual services and deliver quality care to patients.

The waiting list for routine operations and treatments such as hip replacements and eye cataract surgery could potentially increase to as high as 13 million. While today’s extra £1 billion funding will go some way to help reduce this number, waiting lists will rise before they improve as more people who didn’t seek care over the pandemic come forward.

£478 million of this new funding has been dedicated to continue the hospital discharge programme so staff can ensure patients leave hospital as quickly and as safely as possible, with the right community or at-home support.

This will free up thousands of extra beds and staff time to help the NHS recover services. The government has also invested £500 million in capital funding for extra theatre capacity and productivity-boosting technology, to increase the number of surgeries able to take place.

This funding is for England only. The devolved administrations will receive up to £1 billion in Barnett consequentials in 2021-22. The final amount will be confirmed and allocated at Supplementary Estimates 2021-22.

On top of this funding, the NHS recently launched a £160 million initiative to tackle waiting lists. This is looking to accelerate the recovery of routine treatments and operations by trialling new ways of working, including a high-volume cataract service, one stop testing facilities where people can get tests done quickly and efficiently, to speed up the time to treatment, greater access to specialist advice for GPs and pop-up clinics so patients can be seen and discharged closer to home.

The UK government is ‘committed to delivering the greatest hospital building programme in a generation with 40 new hospitals by 2030’, backed by an initial £3.7 billion.

Yesterday’s announcement is in addition to the £3 billion announced at Spending Review 2020 to support the NHS.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce a further £2.5 billion increase in NHS spending in Scotland when she lays out her Programme for Government later today.

National Lottery funding helps Scottish community groups begin COVID-19 recovery journey

Over £2.2m of National Lottery funding is today being shared by 103 community groups across Scotland.  Many of the charities and voluntary organisations receiving awards will provide vital support and activities for people as they begin to meet up with others again post pandemic.

Twelve Edinburgh-based projects have received funding in the latest round of awards. The Action Group (above) receives the biggest award – over £124,000 Improving Lives funding – to deliver an 18-month isolation reduction project making connections for people with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs.

Other succesful projects including Hidden Door, Steps to Hope and Water of Leith Trust receive awards of up to £10,000.

Sleep Scotland’s Teens+ Project is an Edinburgh based learning service for students with additional support needs which help them flourish and move on towards a more independent lifestyle.   

Thanks to an award of £10,000, they will be able to run a year long programme of activities and support which will address the negative impact of COVID-19 on their students who reported feeling more anxious, isolated, and disconnected as a result of the pandemic. 

Shaun Jempson, 34, from Edinburgh, who has additional support needs and who is a student at Teens+ said: “I found lockdown a bit sad and very hard at times as I couldn’t go out with my friends and there wasn’t much do to other than sitting around the house. 

“I felt bored and really lonely. The staff at Teens+ helped me to learn things like independence skills, group work, maths and writing which helps me to work towards my future goals.  I am excited to learn the new activities because it’s good to try new things and it will help me meet up with people again and learn coping strategies.

Welcoming the funding, Gail Burden, Teens CEO, said: “At Teens+ we believe everyone with additional support needs deserves to thrive. During COVID restrictions it’s been really difficult for our students to keep connected with their peers and they’ve told us that they feel more isolated and anxious as a result. 

“This National Lottery funding will help us to run new activities designed to build confidence and wellbeing.

“Our students will be able to be with their friends again through a programme of fun and educational activities that they will design themselves.  This will make a huge difference in helping our students move on from COVID-19 and reconnect with their friends and the wider community.”

African Lanarkshire for Mental Health receives £7,630 to deliver as series of NHS led workshops to help alleviate any fear and anxiety around getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

The group, who will work with families in the Motherwell area, will also be able to work with people who have additional COVID-19 related mental health issues.

Bethin Kambale, African Lanarkshire for Mental Health said: “These workshops will help give people clear information about the vaccination and help improve their mental health. 

“Many of our members are talking about being scared to go to work because of anxiety of catching the virus and we want to help them feel more confident about moving on with their lives post COVID.”

Across Scotland, 103 community projects are today sharing in £2,140,644.

  

Announcing the funding, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “It’s great to see a such a variety of projects being funded to help people of all ages and backgrounds begin to adapt and recover from the pandemic whether it’s supporting more people like Shaun learn new skills and begin to meet up with friends and families or helping those who may feel scared and anxious to take those small steps back to normality.

“As groups are beginning to bring people together again National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money, they raise is making a huge difference helping to re-connect people of all ages in communities across Scotland.”  

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. 

Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities. 

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk  

Aldi offers up to £2500 funding to help local sport clubs thrive

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund has returned for its sixth year and sports clubs across Edinburgh can now apply for a share of £50,000, with one lucky club in with the chance of securing a £2,500 funding boost.   

Launched in 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is an initiative that aims to help people of all ages and abilities take part in physical activity within their local communities by offering sports clubs the chance to secure essential funding.    

From gymnastics and youth tennis to local sports trusts, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland. This year, Aldi’s prizes will again focus on developing grassroots sports, giving local sports clubs the opportunity to receive funding ranging from £500 to £2,500.   

Through Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, over 458 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from a funding uplift of more than £240,000, helping sports clubs across the country maximise their potential and encouraging more people to engage with physical and sporting activity. 

In 2020, Aldi supported a selection of sports clubs across Edinburgh including Forth Canoe Club, City Star Majorettes, Edinburgh Pony Club and Leith Archers (pictured).  

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

“The past year has been increasingly challenging for sports clubs across Scotland and has highlighted the important role they play in promoting both physical and mental wellbeing. 

“We look forward to welcoming applications from a wide range of local sports clubs and I’d encourage any club based across Edinburgh to get involved and take advantage of this excellent funding opportunity.”   

Team GB athlete, Katie Archibald, said: “Local Sports clubs have played a crucial role not only in starting and developing my career but those of all past and present Team GB athletes, and it is often understated the amazing role that sports clubs play in promoting both physical activity and an active lifestyle.  

“Aldi’s continued investment in supporting local Scottish sports clubs is admired by all Team GB athletes and those clubs that will benefit from the Scottish Sport Fund are crucial in helping to nurture the next generation of Olympic athletes.”   

Sports clubs located across Edinburgh and surrounding areas have until 27th September to apply. Sports clubs can be based in Edinburgh, the Lothians or the Borders to be eligible to apply for this round of funding. 

One applicant will be selected to receive £2,500 of funding, two aplicants will each receive £1,000 of funding, while several other applicants will each receive £500 of funding towards their sports club.

Applications will be selected at random to receive each of the funding brackets.

Applications can be made via www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund. 

The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria, from rugby clubs to after school groups and everything in between. 

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.  

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

Refugee projects in Scotland awarded £2.8 million

Organisations and community groups working to support refugees in Scotland will share £2.8 million through a new grant scheme.

In total, 56 projects will receive funding to deliver initiatives designed to help New Scots settle in their adopted communities by promoting employability, education, health and social and cultural connections.

Grants awarded include:

  • £104,615 for employment and training support for refugees in the West of Scotland
  • £72,930 to help Arabic speakers in Dundee, Fife and Clackmannanshire access certification to work in the Scottish construction industry
  • £114,987 to improve mental health and reduce loneliness and social isolation of refugees and separated children in Edinburgh
  • £23,075 for English language learning (ESOL) in Midlothian that focuses specifically on preparing learners for the workplace

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We are committed to supporting the integration of asylum seekers into our communities from day one, not just when leave to remain has been granted.

“The funding and development of these projects will support our aim to have cohesive, connected and multi-cultural communities where people can access services and be supported into employment and education.

“Scotland has a long history of welcoming asylum seekers and refugees from all over the world. In re-building their lives they help make the country stronger, more compassionate and more successful for everyone.”

This project is part funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and is part of the New Scots Refugee Integration Delivery Project. It is led by the Scottish Government in partnership with COSLA, Scottish Refugee Council and the UNESCO Chair at the University of Glasgow.

Scottish Refugee Council CEO Sabir Zazai said: “There is such a strong will in Scotland to support newcomers and make people feel welcome. Equally strong is the desire from refugee-led groups to make a contribution and use their skills and expertise to create flourishing, well integrated communities.

“This funding will build on all of this and allow groups and organisations to strengthen and deepen their work with people seeking safety in Scotland.”

COSLA’s Community Wellbeing spokesperson, Councillor Kelly Parry said: “I am thrilled so many local authorities have secured funding to implement a wide range of exciting projects aimed at enhancing refugee integration.

“From improving refugee employability to developing tailored mental health support for young asylum seekers, the projects being funded are both ambitious in their scope and innovative in their approach.”

UNESCO Chair at the University of Glasgow, Alison Phipps, said: “The New Scots policy is regarded with acclaim internationally, modelled on human rights and dignity for all.

“It is especially heartening to see refugee led projects at the forefront and to know that new and expanded work will take place across Scotland.”

MSP urges city projects to apply for Scotland Loves Local funding

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, has urged projects across the capital to apply for the newly launched Scotland Loves Local Fund.

The scheme has been launched by the SNP Scottish Government to support local projects run by organisations like town centre partnerships, chambers of commerce or community and charity trusts. It will provide projects with match funding of between £5,000 and £25,000.

Eligible projects could include things like community shops, marketing and digital schemes, or enabling larger construction projects delivery.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald said: “The Scotland Loves Local Fund has been launched by the SNP Scottish Government as a way to help our town centres recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic.

“There are a number of fantastic local community projects across Edinburgh Pentlands, and the wider city, which have the potential to stimulate growth and footfall into the different areas and this funding will allow them to continue to make our town centres a more vibrant place and stimulate the local economy.

“Not only is the funding important but when people shop locally and support local businesses it also boosts the economy here and ensure that money spent in the local area stays in the local area.

“I would urge local projects to apply for the Scotland Loves Local Fund and encourage people in Edinburgh to continue to support local business at every opportunity.”

Clock is ticking for youth projects to share in £1 million giveaway

Leading housebuilder, Persimmon Homes in Scotland is urging youth groups, schools and sports clubs across its North, East and West regions to apply for a share of its £1million charity giveaway before it’s too late.

Projects must make their applications to the Building Futures scheme at www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/ before the closing deadline of midnight on August 15 2021.

Persimmon’s scheme aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health and sport.

Persimmon Homes regional chairman for Scotland, Doug Law, said: “The last 18 months has been a challenging time for everyone but now restrictions are starting to ease, it’s more important than ever to look after our mental and physical health.

“We’re extremely proud to be making donations between £1,000 and £100,000 to grassroots sports groups, charities dealing with physical and mental wellbeing issues, as well as community arts and education projects.

“Over the years we’ve seen what a massive difference this funding can make to schools, clubs and charities, so we’re encouraging everyone to apply now.”

Building Futures is delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association, and the housebuilder enlisted the help of Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Dani Rowe (top) to launch the scheme.

A total of 128 grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 businesses to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects.

Three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in November.

In each sector – education & arts, health and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Last year’s top prize winners were Northampton Swimming Club (sport), Ringsfield Hall Eco Activity Centre (arts & education) and The Children’s Hospital Charity (health).

Catherine Foster, trusts fundraising manager for The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It’s difficult to put into words how we felt when we won the top prize of £100,000, it was like all of our Christmases came at once.

“The funding has been put towards a new cancer and leukaemia ward and it’s going to be absolutely amazing once it’s up and running. We’re going to have a state-of-the-art facility thanks to Persimmon Homes so we don’t really have any words to say thank you enough.”

Doug added: “We want to hear from local groups, charities and individuals who have ambitious plans on how they would spend the big cash prizes. We’ve had some fantastic applications over the years so we’d urge anyone, however big or small their idea is, to apply today.”

To find out more about or to apply Building Futures visit:

www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/