Tag: funding

Question mark over government’s nursery places plan

The public spending watchdog has questioned government plans to fund increased nursery provision in Scotland. The Accounts Commission says in a new report (below) there is a “significant risk” councils will not be able to resource the government’s ambitious plan to double early learning and childcare hours by August 2020. Continue reading Question mark over government’s nursery places plan

Opening up the arts: council funding for community groups

Stimulating artistic and cultural events across the length and breadth of the Capital is the drive behind a new £60,000 City of Edinburgh Council fund. The one-off ‘Local Events Fund’ aims to inspire audiences and artists who might otherwise not have the chance to participate in cultural ventures to take up the artistic challenge. Continue reading Opening up the arts: council funding for community groups

Letters: Save our local services

Dear Editor

Cuts in funding for services affect people differently; most are appalled at the frequency and the damage it is doing to the local social fabric. But, as always, it is those who most in need of services are denied them, with all the consequences including further isolation within the community.

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), an organisation based in North Edinburgh, runs many services for local people including:

  • Five day care clubs
  • Classes and activities in computer training, arts and crafts and literacy and numeracy
  • Cooking
  • A mental health issues group

These activities are attended by approximately 200 people each week.

PEP minibuses pick up from and return people to their homes; all the buses are staffed with volunteer escorts. Up to 80 other volunteers help throughout the week with other activities.

Funding cuts from the city council or Scottish Government will hit the provision of these services and the very people who are most in need.

PEP makes every effort in appealing to various social and charitable organisations for grants and support to keep these vital services going, but it is not sustainable in the long run if funding cuts continue.

PEP’s volunteers carried out 13,000 hours volunteering for local people in 2016, adding greatly to the quality of life and indeed their health.

As one of those volunteers, the reason for this letter is to raise public understanding of how serious are repeated cuts in funding for local services. With the best will and efforts, volunteers cannot operate on insufficient funding for their organisation.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Climate cash windfall for MY Adventure

West Granton-based social enterprise MY Adventure is to receive almost £98,000 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund. MY Adventure is one of eight Edinburgh-based projects to receive a share of the £9.9 million fund which supports local action to tackle climate change. Continue reading Climate cash windfall for MY Adventure

Making a difference: £15 million boost for community and families projects

Projects to support children and families coping with disabilities, mental health problems and the challenges associated with poverty and charities working more widely with children, families and adult learners are among dozens of beneficiaries of grants worth a total of £15 million confirmed today by the Scottish Government. Continue reading Making a difference: £15 million boost for community and families projects