SANDS Lothian – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

TWELVE Scottish charities have been awarded a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation.

THE charities from across the country will share in funding totalling almost £1.2 million for projects tackling a range of issues, from cost-of-living support, to promoting diversity and inclusion, raising awareness of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises and addressing skills and attainment gaps in society.

The Earth Allies programme – an exciting project from the Glasgow Science Centre – is helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds learn about climate change and become climate advocates. Supported by funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, young people aged 16-24 will build their knowledge of climate change issues by taking part in activities that help them learn new skills like public speaking, online campaigning, and filmmaking.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The young people on the Earth Allies programme are the climate ambassadors of the future, so it’s amazing to see them gain the skills they’ll need to influence decision-makers and put protecting the planet in the spotlight.

“Projects like this are prime examples of how the ScottishPower Foundation’s support is helping to create a better future for the next generation, and why it’s important for us to recognise and boost the incredible work of charities across the UK.”

Sally White, Senior Community Learning Coordinator from Glasgow Science Centre, said: “At Glasgow Science Centre, we’re determined to reduce the barriers young people face in accessing climate education – particularly if they’re from a disadvantaged background, who may be most at risk as the world around them continues to change.

“A huge thanks to the ScottishPower Foundation for supporting the life-changing work that we do. Through our Earth Allies programme, we will ensure that those we support are given the opportunities to succeed.”

Among the other 2023 projects funded by the ScottishPower Foundation is Smart Works Scotland, which, in an expansion to its services, is continuing to support Black Minority Ethnic women across Scotland to develop the skills, confidence and self-belief they need to secure sustainable employment and gain financial independence.

The grant from the ScottishPower Foundation will help with the recruitment of a full-time outreach worker for the charity’s new Glasgow hub as it provides career advice, interview coaching and mentoring support to empower under-represented women in the workforce.

The Volunteer Tutor Organisation’s Learning Hub network – a key service supporting children living in poverty and affected by the attainment gap – is also supported by the Foundation’s funding in 2023. Following Covid, the highly impactful Hubs had to be suspended. Now, with the ScottishPower Foundation’s funding, the charity is set to reinstate 9 hubs, continue to run 14 hubs and launch five more to help vulnerable children to improve their academic attainment, confidence and self-esteem.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the ScottishPower Foundation has awarded over £12 million to charitable initiatives across the UK.

Melanie Hill added: “This is an incredibly exciting year for us, with so many amazing projects benefitting from our support and making a difference within their local communities.

“The real impact these initiatives will have for so many people can’t be understated, and I can’t wait to see what amazing work these charities will continue to do throughout the year.”