We are delighted to be part of @SPFLTrust Winter Response Fund 2023
Starting 25th January we have a free lunch offering for our community to attend
In our community hub space we have hot meals and access to wi-fi / devices, book swap & clothing bank.
Projects that support low income households will benefit from a funding boost through the Scottish Government’s Winter Support Fund.
Sixteen charities will receive a share of over £6 million to provide support to low income families with direct assistance for living costs, as well as initiatives such as debt advice and parenting helplines.
The cash is part of a £41 million Winter Support Fund announced by the Social Justice Secretary in October which also includes £10 million to help people struggling to pay fuel bills and £25 million awarded to local authorities to respond to financial insecurity and support wellbeing based on local needs.
The Winter Support Fund aims to help people on low incomes, children and people at risk of homelessness against a backdrop of rising living and fuel costs.
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We know many families are struggling financially just now with the rising cost of living and the impact of the pandemic.
“The recent sharp increase in Covid-19 cases, linked to the omicron variant, has only added to the challenge but we’re determined to ease some of the strain by providing direct support to people who need it most.
“Our trusted charity partners and volunteers have played a crucial role throughout the pandemic and we appreciate and value the services they provide.
“We hope these funds will help those most in need over Christmas, which we appreciate can be a difficult time for many.”
The STV Children’s Appeal will receive £1,200,000 to support children in need through its network of grassroots and community organisations.
Chair Paul Reynolds said: “The winter period is often one of the most difficult times of the year for families affected by poverty in Scotland, so this support package comes at the most crucial of times.
“Through collaboration with hundreds of charities and projects, we support the most vulnerable children and young people across the country, and we’ll help to make sure that these funds provide the food, clothing, shelter and heating needed by so many families throughout this challenging season.”
Aberlour Children’s Charity will receive £250,000 for its Urgent Assistance Fund.
Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “This support comes at a time when families and their children are facing the second tough winter in a row. It will make a real difference to so many families, who have found themselves pushed into poverty and who are struggling to keep their head above water.
“Applications for our fund have doubled in recent months and the top reason for families seeking help is to feed their children. It’s vitally important that this funding is distributed to families quickly and reaches those children who need the very basics.”
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison first announced the £41 million Winter Support Fund on 29 October 2021.
A digital funding mapping tool has been developed to display the funding allocated across the three strands of the Winter Support Fund.
Allocation of Funds:
| Organisation | Amount |
| Aberlour | £250,000 |
| Action for Children | £450,000 |
| Barnardo’s | £345,000 |
| Bethany Christian Trust | £264,000 |
| Cash for Kids | £1,250,000 |
| Children First | £300,000 |
| Citizens Advice Scotland | £140,000 |
| Churches Action for the Homeless | £500 |
| Corra | £750,000 |
| Family Fund | £300,000 |
| Families Outside | £52,500 |
| Govan Community Project | £33,000 |
| One Parent Families Scotland | £275,000 |
| STV Appeal | £1,200,000 |
| Transform Community Development | £1,000 |
| Who Cares? Scotland | £401,000 |
Funding to help people struggling financially during the winter is part of a new £41 million support package. The Winter Support Fund will help those on low incomes, children and people at risk of homelessness against a backdrop of rising living and fuel costs.
The funding comes from consequentials of the UK Government’s £500 million Household Support Fund.
Key elements of the package include:
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We know that many families are struggling financially due to the increased costs they are facing right now. This package of measure aims to ease some of that strain by providing direct support to people.
“The Scottish Government has invested £2.5 billion to support low income households in 2020-21, with around £1 billion focused on supporting children as a cornerstone of our national mission to tackle child poverty and homelessness.
“That includes doubling the Scottish Child Payment to £20 per child per week, with our plans to do so set out in the forthcoming Scottish Budget.
“We are passing on every penny of the £41 million we received in UK Government consequentials.
“However, this in no way makes up for the recent £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit, which has taken an estimated £460 million from the pockets of the people in Scotland who need it most.”
Support for those struggling with fuel bills will include access to fuel top-up vouchers, advice to manage fuel debt and support for those in remote and rural areas.
The Winter Support Fund will continue to promote cash-first responses in line with our draft national plan on ending the need for food banks as a primary response. In some cases help may also be offered to tackle social isolation and support mental health.
In addition to helping people heat their homes and meet rising food costs, funding will help to ensure no-one is faced with rough sleeping this winter.
The funding comes from consequentials of the UK Government’s £500 million Household Support Fund.
