Tag: National Lottery funding

Edinburgh youth charities to benefit from share of £2m Lottery funding

Organisations supporting children and young people in Edinburgh are to receive a share of a funding boost of more than £2 million announced today (Wednesday 21 January) by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Nearly £200,000 (£198,566) has been awarded to two Edinburgh-based organisations that support children and young people to reach their full potential through the funding programme Young Start, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund. It awards funds from dormant bank accounts to projects that will make a lasting positive impact on the lives of the young people that they support. 

Children and teen led creative organisation, Lyra, based in Niddrie, will use their £99,331 share to continue running their Teens at Lyra programme to support at least 50 young people aged 12 to 18 over the next three years, living in areas of deprivation in the city.

The programme aims to help participants develop essential creative and life skills to improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.  

When asked how Teens at Lyra supports them, one participant, aged 15, said: “I take part at Lyra to have fun and express myself.

“Also, to build up skills to put stuff in my CV. I enjoy performing and meeting my friends after school because I may not have a chance to meet them otherwise.” 

Anna Plasberg-Hill, Teens at Lyra Engagement Producer, said: “The support we receive from Young Start makes a huge impact on the teenagers in our community. Through Teens at Lyra young people can express themselves and gain new experiences in a safe, supportive environment, building skills that will see them into the future.

“I’m immensely proud of what our young people achieve – it’s amazing to see their progress throughout the year.”  

Edinburgh-based ADOPTION UK received £99, 235 which will enable the continuation of their #E project, an award-winning service supporting care experienced adopted children and young people across Scotland.

The three year project will engage and empower 178 young people through age-specific social activities, skills workshops and personal advocacy opportunities.

This peer-support model will create a life-long support network for young people often facing health, educational and relationship challenges.

The programme has already evidenced positive outcomes around improved social/emotional wellbeing, increased self-esteem and skills development particularly in relation to self-advocacy.

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “It’s a privilege to support such a diverse range of essential projects across Scotland through this latest round of Young Start funding.

“Organisations such as Lyra, play a crucial role in helping children and young people, from a variety of backgrounds build their skills, confidence and foster a strong sense of community, which they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.”  

Young Start helps young people aged eight to 24 become more confident and play an active part in realising their potential. Funding of up to £100,000 is available for youth led projects. 

Groups can apply by emailing advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or calling 0300 123 7110.                 

Find out more at: 

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start         

See full list of projects.

YOUNG START AWARDS – Jan 2026Download

National Lottery funds Venture Scotland’s Journey programme

Today Leith-based charity, Venture Scotland, is celebrating receiving nearly £100,000 in funding over 3 years from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible by National Lottery players.

Since 1989, Venture Scotland has used the outdoors as a vehicle to transform the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of Young People across the Central Belt of Scotland. Every year, their small team delivers four, progressive outdoor-based personal development programmes, known as the “Journey”, to over 50 Young People who are facing challenges to their mental health.

Venture Scotland utilise Scotland’s natural environments to deliver group-based outdoor activities, such as gorge walking, kayaking and hill climbing, alongside groupwork, 1-to-1 support sessions and remote bothy residentials.

Venture Scotland’s ethos is to use the outdoor experience to help our Young People gain confidence, overcome challenges, and discover their potential – all of which they can channel into their daily lives.

The National Lottery Community Fund has made it possible for their graduate Young People to give back to Venture Scotland and has ensured that Young People are at the heart of our organisation.

Venture Scotland’s innovative Ambassador Programme has embedded four of our graduate Young People at all levels of Venture Scotland:

  • They attend and offer feedback at our Board meetings;
  • Support our fundraising team;
  • Help our Outreach Worker engage with new Young People;
  • Volunteer with our delivery team on activity days;
  • And have helped recruit new staff and trustees.

Most importantly, Venture Scotland’s Ambassadors bring their “lived experience” to motivate and inspire the project’s young people and ensure that their wellbeing is at the heart of everything VS we does.

Jo graduated from Venture Scotland’s Journey Programme in 2019. Before Venture Scotland, Jo was stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and experienced crippling anxiety, eating disorders and isolation.

After completing our Journey Programme, Jo became a Venture Scotland Ambassador; she has this to say about the Programme:

“The Ambassador Programme has given me a purpose and structure in these turbulent times, a chance to connect with people, learn new skills, keep up old ones and a chance to give back to a place and people that changed my life. It has given me hope; something to hold on to.”

The National Lottery Community Fund will allow us to officially launch our Ambassador Programme to a whole new generation of Young People and will ensure that Venture Scotland is the best it can be.

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country.

“This project delivered by Venture Scotland is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.” 

Venture Scotland’s CEO, David Brackenridge added: “Our Ambassador programme has put the voices of young people at the heart of our organisation and this has already had a transformational effect.

“So often, our Ambassadors have given us a whole new perspective on the work we do and the decisions we make and this has changed the way we operate, govern ourselves and has shaped our strategy going forward.

“I already can’t imagine them not being an integral part of Venture Scotland. A massive thanks to the National Lottery for funding this programme and for ensuring we can grow and develop it with young people.”