Tag: lottery grant

Full Steam Ahead! Campaign to preserve historic Fisheries Research Vessel nets vital funding

GOOD NEWS AT LAST FOR SS EXPLORER

The SS Explorer Preservation Society is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of £157,115 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable us to protect and preserve SS Explorer – one of Scotland’s National Historic Ships.

SS Explorer, built in 1955, is Scotland’s first purpose-built Fisheries Research Vessel, the last vessel with a riveted steel hull built by Alexander Hall & Co’s shipyard in Aberdeen with one of the last triple-expansion steam engines built in Scotland, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Ships. However, the vessel’s true significance lies in its scientific legacy through research in marine biology, fish stock assessment, pollution monitoring and climate change studies.

At a time when SS Explorer – currently berthed in the Edinburgh Dock in the Port of Leith – is taking an active part in the Edinburgh Science Festival and the Society has welcomed aboard a record number of visitors, the funding award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will make it possible to continue to preserve SS Explorer, protect the vessel against further deterioration, expand our community outreach and strengthen our organisation for the major works programme required to achieve our vision.

We will also commission a feasibility study addressing the sustainability of the ship in its future role as a museum ship and visitor destination.

Completion of this stage will be followed by moving the ship to a new publicly accessible berth in the Edinburgh Dock as the area is redeveloped into a new residential and leisure community.

Richard Morrison, Chair of the SS Explorer Preservation Society said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding from the Heritage Fund and would like to thank National Lottery players who made it possible.

“Our volunteers and supporters work incredibly hard and share a vision of Explorer playing a role that goes beyond being a historic ship and heritage attraction. Fascinating and important as her history is this project is just as much about her future as an asset to Leith.

“A learning resource, an opportunity for people to get involved, to learn new skills, and to make new community connections.”

As the local constituency MSP for Leith, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “I am extremely pleased that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has chosen to allocate this grant.

“This funding brings timely support to the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s sustained efforts to ensure the future of one of Scotland’s unique historic ships and convert it into a local visitor attraction.

“Using this funding award, in the near future Leith can look forward to the implementation of the next crucial stage in the process of turning the SS Explorer into an accessible, engaging heritage landmark in its home port.

“I have been proud to support the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s ambitions for several years, and congratulate and thank all of those involved in achieving this recent success in driving the project forward.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “Through four decades the SS Explorer, as the first purpose built Scottish Fisheries Research Vessel, collected data that now gives us invaluable information about our seas and underlines its significance to Scotland’s maritime and scientific heritage.

 “Thanks to National Lottery players this funding will support the Preservation Society to help save the SS Explorer, tackling immediate repair needs while moving forward their plans to bring SS Explorer back into service once again, this time as a significant heritage attraction in Leith and a valuable community resource.”

About Explorer

A pioneer in climate science and biodiversity work, the steamship Explorer was in service for Marine Lab Torry, part of the Scottish Home Department, from 1956 to 1984. Its scientific mission was to investigate British fish breeding and feeding grounds to better understand fishing levels and species types in support of the Scottish fishing industry.

The ship also monitored pollution, sea temperature, and fish diseases that might adversely affect catches. The valuable scientific work conducted on board by many eminent scientists continues today to contribute to our knowledge of oceanography, marine life and the importance of maintaining healthy oceans. 

It was the first ship to carry a computer on board to help with processing the huge amounts of data the scientists were generating at sea.

To find out more about our plans or to support us through volunteering or donations please visit https://www.theexplorer.scot/ .

For further information, please contact our chair Richard Morrison via email@theexplorer.scot

Council secures Lottery grant to progress slavery and colonialism work

The Council, in partnership with the independent Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review (ESCLR) Implementation Group, has been awarded £239,746 to progress the ESCLR’s recommendations.

Published in 2022 and led by Sir Geoff Palmer, the ESCLR report examined how Edinburgh’s connections to slavery and colonialism are represented in its street names, monuments, and public spaces, and how this history continues to shape present-day inequalities.

The funding will accelerate progress on the outstanding recommendations, including public engagement, education, and the development of future approaches to heritage, interpretation, and commemoration.

Key planned activities include:

  • Recruiting a full-time Project Officer and forming an Advisory Group
  • Hosting a Decolonising Edinburgh Conference and an open symposium
  • Developing digital platforms to support engagement and transparency
  • Creating a small touring exhibition on diversity in Edinburgh’s cultural and heritage activity
  • Delivering a community research project and a series of consultation workshops on built heritage
  • Piloting learning resources for schools and anti-racist educators
  • Coordinating annual stakeholder meetings and a digital campaign around UNESCO’s Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

As part of its commitment, the Council has also provided £10,000 and significant in-kind support to help realise the project’s ambitions.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding marks an important step forward for Edinburgh. If we are to be the inclusive and welcoming city our residents expect, we must continue to confront the uncomfortable parts of our past.

“Whilst we’ve issued a civic apology for Edinburgh’s historic role in sustaining slavery and colonialism, the project allows us to go further and become an example for how a city can face up to its slavery and colonial legacy.

“I’m pleased to see work moving ahead and look forward to the progress it will bring.”

Chair of the Implementation Group, Irene Mosota, said: “On behalf of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group, I thank the National Lottery Heritage Fund for accepting our bid and ideas, and for this funding, and the City of Edinburgh Council for its continued support.

“Edinburgh is acknowledging the impact of its past and recognising that the legacy of slavery and colonialism continues to shape inequalities today and into the future.

“This funding will enable us to work with communities and institutions across the city in open and honest reflection and dialogue, not to reopen old wounds, but to help us understand our shared responsibility and how we move forward together with compassion, equality, and justice.

“We recognise the trust placed in us to carry forward the work begun by Sir Geoff Palmer, and we hope this work will offer a meaningful example of how cities across the UK can address historic legacies with care and integrity.”

Caroline Clark The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “Thanks to National Lottery players our funding will support the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with the independent Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group, to take a considered and collaborative approach to this important work.

“Edinburgh’s historic links to the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism are engrained in the city’s heritage.

“This project will develop ways for the city to engage thoughtfully with its past, contextualising and acknowledging these parts of the city’s story.”

Stroke charity’s Lottery award set to benefit hundreds of survivors

The Stroke Association in Scotland is planning to support hundreds more people affected by stroke as they recover from the effects of their stroke and impact of lockdown in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The charity has received a Lottery award from The National Lottery Community Fund to help develop and expand its peer support offers to help people affected by stroke, rebuild their lives again.

John Watson, Director Scotland of the Stroke Association said: “As well as the physical disabilities caused by stroke, there are many other stroke related difficulties less visible but just as important. For example, a third of stroke survivors in Scotland will experience depression.  

“We are delighted to be granted this award from The National Lottery Community Fund who has recognised the value of our support services and need for them to grow – particularly at this time. Our Recoveries At Risk survey last year highlighted that just under half of people affected by stroke felt less able to cope with the impact of their stroke during lockdown.

“In response to the pandemic, we are delivering new support offers in Scotland that aim to address the psychological impact of stroke – particularly the emotional needs of people affected by stroke.

“We will use the funding to continue and expand the support options for people recovering from stroke throughout Scotland. That support will help stroke survivors connect with local groups, facilitate Zoom meetings, and run face to face support groups.  They will also receive vital information to help with their own self-management.”

 Heather Melville-Hume from Galashiels, was only 43 when she had her stroke two and a half years ago.  It came completely out of the blue.  In an instant, her life changed as she knew it.

Heather was unable to walk confidently or use her lower right arm and dominant hand. The fatigue that came after her stroke was overwhelming. Everything felt like a huge mountain to climb – both physically and emotionally.

And as if that wasn’t hard enough to deal with, Heather then lost her husband who she had been with for seven and a half years.

She said: “Nobody around me had been widowed at such a young age and there was no one I knew my age, dealing with the impact of a stroke.  I was in a very lonely place.”

Heather heard about the charity’s stroke café via social media. And although initially anxious to join online and talk to people, something made her do it.

“I was delighted to feel at first like I didn’t need to say anything.  People were just talking normally about everyday things, and it was very relaxed with a warm welcome by volunteers involved.

“After a while people started to talk about what sort of a week they’d had.  And that’s when I heard some fascinating stories about peoples’ stroke experiences and how they were coping/had coped.  I realised I was not alone, that every stroke comes with its challenges, but there is hope and you can get back to a new normal.

“I am delighted the Stroke Association in Scotland is receiving support from The National Lottery Community Fund.  There is so much value in connecting with strangers with shared experiences in lifting your mood, spirit and importantly raise a smile on the hardest of days.”

ANOTHER BIG WINNER announced this morning was ELREC (Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council), who received almost £100,000.

The Forth Street-based organisation will use the funding ‘to continue supporting isolated women and activities will include exercise classes, arts and crafts workshops, a women’s health forum, and opportunities to practice talking and writing in English.

‘Participants will meet new friends and will benefit from a supportive network, improved wellbeing and increasing social interaction.’

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still: said: “In these unprecedented times, it’s heartening to see the way Scottish communities are coming together to provide each other with support.  

“I would like to congratulate the Stroke Association in Scotland on their award which is testament to the incredible efforts of their staff and volunteers. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is making such a difference.”