Tag: Young Start

Million-pound Lottery boost to improve the health of Young Scots

PROJECTS supporting young Scots with their physical and mental health and are today sharing in almost £1 million of dormant bank account funding. 

The cash from the Young Start fund goes to 12 groups across the country including West of Scotland based Able2Sail which offers sailing voyages and qualifications for young people of all abilities, Feeling Strong, a youth mental health charity giving a voice to young people in Dundee and to three Edinburgh projects. 

There’s £100,000 for Friends of the Award in Edinburgh & The Lothians. The group will use the funding to support young people with mental health issues in partnership with NHS Lothian.

Young people age 14 – 24 years will build their confidence, learn new skills and gain accredited awards using the Duke of Edinburgh Award structure. The project will involve 140 young people and 15 volunteers over 3 years.

Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspace Trust receives £60,474 to develop and deliver ten woodland activities and skills programmes across three years for young people in Edinburgh and the Lothians, beginning in Craigmillar but expanding to other areas in subsequent years.

The programme is for 16-24 year olds who have left mainstream education and will lead to a Saltire Award. The project will work with around 120 young people and involve 5 volunteers.

Last but not least, Edinburgh-based Love Learning Scotland receives £25,000 to support young people facing challenging circumstances, those excluded from mainstream education and those with limited support networks.

This will be achieved by providing young people with the opportunity to design, develop, and deliver farm and food activities and through personalised learning pathways where young people can achieve accredited qualifications through online learning. 150 young people will take part, supported by 15 volunteers.

Young Start, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, awards dormant bank account funding to projects that help young people reach their full potential. 

Originally set up in 2006 for people and families affected by disability, Able2Sail runs a Youth Forum where young people develop their sailing and teamwor kingskills while working together towards a sailing qualification. 

Today the group receives an award of £51,448 to enable members of its youth forum to take part in yacht, dinghy and powerboating sessions when restrictions allow.  

Welcoming the news, Gordon Tatnell, Chair of Able2Sail, said: “This Young Start award is wonderful news. 

It means we can continue our Youth Forum project over the next three years. Our young people are absolutely delighted and cannot wait to get back on the water and into training.” 

With an award of £99,911, Feeling Strong will deliver a recovery-focused mental health service for young people in Dundee.

The service will include peer mentoring, advice and support with employment and training opportunities and access to therapeutic activities such as sports and arts sessions.  

Brook Marshall, CEO of Feeling Strong, said: “We’re so excited to be running our new range of projects, enabled by the Young Start fund, for the benefit of some of Dundee’s most vulnerable young people.

“These projects will work with young people with mental health and wellbeing challenges to support their recovery journeys and give them the holistic, wraparound support that’s needed to make sure they’re able to move forward in a positive and meaningful way.” 

Announcing today’s awards totalling £946,347, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “This funding will give a huge boost to hundreds of young people across Scotland who now more than ever need a focus and something to look forward to when restrictions allow. 

“Whether it’s a project supporting young people with their mental health or a sports activity leading to a recognised qualification, each one will provide a fantastic opportunity for young Scots to build key skills and confidence for the future.

 “We are always keen to support projects which put young people front and centre in the development and running of services. If your group has an idea for funding, then we’d love to hear from you.” 

Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times should visit:

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/youngstart 

or telephone 0141 846 0447. 

Young Scots benefit from £660,000 to break down barriers

Projects helping young Scots overcome barriers to employment and education during the pandemic today celebrate over half a million pounds in new funding.   

Intercultural Youth Scotland and Forth Valley Disability Sport are amongst nine youth-led groups that will help young Scots build confidence, develop new skills and realise their full potential, sharing in £659,935 from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start Fund.

Thanks to £98,710 in funding the future of Intercultural Youth Scotland’s Restless Natives programme is assured for the next three years.

This work supports young Scots from minority ethnic backgrounds to overcome the challenges they face in accessing employment, education and volunteering.  

Restless Natives will help more young people like Nisha Singh, 17, from Edinburgh, who has found the programme was a vital source of support during lockdown.  

On leaving college this year Nisha had hoped to take on an apprenticeship as she left formal education. The COVID-19 crisis threw those plans into jeopardy leaving Nisha worried and stressed for her future.

Nisha said: “The help I’ve got from Restless Natives has made a huge difference to me. They stepped in and offered support with applications, online interviews, updating my CV, and from my mental health perspective it really helped as well.  

“The youth practitioners are young and have experiences of struggling to get support through their education and employment too – so they really listen to young people’s needs. I felt supported and I knew where to go when I had any questions.  

“It’s thanks to the help I’ve had from Restless Natives I have been accepted on to a graduate apprenticeship in my chosen field, software engineering, which starts this month.  

“I’m so thankful this service exists. It’s so different from schools and is more accessible and comfortable to young BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Colour) Scots like me.” 

Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS) also picks up £51,000 in funding today to expand its Step Out project supporting young people living with a physical, sensory or learning disability across the Forth Valley area.

The project uses sport and physical activity to help disabled young people make friends, develop life skills, and gain qualifications. 

Welcoming the award is FVDS youth volunteer, Caitlyn Ross, from Denny, who started taking part in disability sport when she was just ten years old: “Over the years disability sport has truly changed my life for the better. 

“I feel like I have found where I belong, and I am a part of something where I don’t feel judged and can just be me, so I’d like to say thank you to Young Start. 

“Coming to Forth Valley Disability Sport has helped develop my confidence and self-esteem and I have made so many friends. It also led to me volunteering both here and with several other local organisations. I have also gained qualifications and expanded my knowledge in so many different sports.  

“I’ve also had great opportunities to share my story around sports volunteering and I have my voice heard in the Forth Valley Disability Sports Youth Committee, the Scottish Disability Sports (SDS) Youth Panel and the SDS Young Start Programme.” 

Graham Harvey, FVDS Branch Coordinator, said: “This grant from Young Start will allow us to continue to develop a wide range of opportunities within the Forth Valley area. FVDS greatly appreciates the support of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start Fund to help the charity to change lives through sport and physical activity.” 

Young Start awards dormant bank and building society cash to youth-led projects across Scotland and is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund. 

Announcing today’s funding totalling £659,935, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said:  “Young Start funding helps to support young people to build confidence, develop new skills and realise their own potential. Each project awarded today has made an incredible impact in the lives of the young people they support.  

“They are great examples of how the youth sector has stepped up during the current crisis offering support in new ways. At a time when young people are concerned about their futures, I’m delighted that Young Start is working with projects like Intercultural Youth Scotland, and all these projects, offering renewed support into employment and education.” 

Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times should visit 

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/youngstart or contact 0141 846 0447. 

Lottery boost for local youth group

Pilton Youth & Children’s Project has received an award of £75,285 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

PYCP is one of twelve Scottish projects – and the only one in Edinburgh – to receive a share of £800,000 in dormant bank account money.

The local youth group, based at The Greenhouse in West Pilton, will use the Young Start funding over three years to run their Creative Mentoring Programme to help young people aged 15-20 years move away from participating in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

PYCP’s Lesley Ross said: “We are delighted to receive this award.

“The project will recruit 10 young people each year for a 6 month programme (two intakes), which includes peer mentoring, education, training, weekly sessions, 3 day residential course and an emphasis on improved mental health and well-being.

“We are looking forward to building on the experience and knowledge we already have built up, over a number of years when engaging with this target group of young people. The programme is due to start in September 2020.”

An employability project giving disabled young Scots newfound confidence, skills and qualifications is also celebrating today. 

Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do Dumfries project receive a two-year grant of £55,904. The funding will support young volunteers like 21-year-old Alastair, from Gretna, to learn new skills and achieve accredited qualifications that will boost their chances of future employment.

Alastair said: “I started coming along to the Can Do conservation project because I wanted to improve my knowledge of the outdoors, gain a certificate and better my CV. Before the project I was struggling to find work. I had difficulty socialising as I was feeling nervous and unsure all the time.

“Can Do helped me to feel more capable and boosted my confidence. It also helped build my knowledge and skills, particularly in sawing and working with wood. Now, I will get a new job or start more training.”

During the current lockdown period, Leonard Cheshire is delivering its Can Do Dumfries project through digital platforms to keep young people engaged and focused on developing their personal skills.

Welcoming today’s award, Stuart Robertson, Director for Leonard Cheshire in Scotland, said: “We are delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work this way.

“Now, thanks to this Young Start award, we will be able to continue empowering young people with additional support needs in Dumfries and Galloway to give back to the community.”

Young Start awards dormant bank and building society cash to youth-led projects across Scotland and is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Announcing the funding, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “Young Start aims to help children and young people across Scotland realise their potential while also building invaluable skills and confidence for the future.

“By placing young people at the heart of project design, delivery and evaluation, these projects will empower young people to achieve whatever they set their mind to.”

Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times, should visit:

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

or contact 0141 846 0447.

Future young leaders to benefit from £1.4 m boost

Scottish youth projects putting young people front and centre of their work are today sharing in £1.4m from the Young Start fund. 

Amongst the 25 projects receiving the dormant account and building society cash is Youth Vision in Edinburgh which receives £76,000 to get young people outdoors taking part in educational activities that boost their physical and mental health.

Young leaders, like 21-year-old committee member, James, will support the planning and delivery of the programme while taking part in training and achieving qualifications.

James, who joined Youth Vision at the age of 13 after experiencing mental health difficulties, said: “Before I joined the project, I was severely depressed. I was having a horrendous time at school and was badly bullied. It wasn’t until much later that I got a diagnosis of Asperger’s and Autistic spectrum disorder, so for a long time I felt quite low and isolated.

“The project is special because it gave me something to put my focus into – I was already quite an outdoorsy person, but the one to one support and skills I learned such as, chopping wood, starting fires, tool safety and gardening, were great things for me to get started with.”

Now on the committee, James attributes much of his personal and career development to the project. He said, “I would never have seen myself as a leader before joining and I certainly would not have seen myself teaching people new skills – let alone enjoying it! It’s important for young voices to heard so we are very excited about this funding.”

Wester Hailes-based About Youth have received £75.000. The group will use the funding to run a programme of youth work activities for young people aged 8-19 living in The Calders area.

This will include three weekly youth groups, holiday activity programmes, outreach projects, training opportunities, and one to one support. The
project will benefit 290 young people and involve 9 volunteers over 3 years.

Also welcoming their Young Start grant today is Sports Futures Trust who will use an award of £76,995 to deliver a youth-led health and wellbeing community programme, for vulnerable children living in the north east of Glasgow.

Led by a team of Young Leaders, this will include physical activities and training opportunities, coupled with nutritional and wellbeing advice for young people and their families.

Welcoming the funding, Project Lead, Jim Boyd, said: “SSF are delighted to receive the Young Start funding for the next two years.  The investment means we can support children and young people to make positive changes in their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing while building better connections with their local community.”

Young Start is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund and awards dormant bank and building society cash to projects led by and for young people, to help build their confidence and reach their potential.

Announcing the funding, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “I am very pleased to announce this funding, which will help children and young people to have their voices heard while growing in confidence and develop new skills. 

“The Young Start programme creates opportunities for children and young people to achieve their potential and every one of these projects reflects that aim.”

Groups wanting to know more about Young Start should visit https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start or contact 0300 123 7110.

Hot, hot, hot: Young Scots dance to the tune of £1.3 million

 

An intergenerational dance company that helps young people creatively connect with older generations through dance is amongst a number of groups sharing in 1.3 MILLION of dormant bank account funding announced today. Continue reading Hot, hot, hot: Young Scots dance to the tune of £1.3 million

£1.8M funding boost for next generation of musicians, dancers and artists

Budding young artists, dancers and musicians are amongst hundreds of young people across Scotland today celebrating a £1.8 million cash boost that will empower them to develop their skills and talents through a range of creative projects.

Five Edinburgh-based organisations have received funding in the latest round of grants. These include The Yard (£90,000), Canongate Youth (£84,000) and Fruitmarket Gallery (£100,000). Continue reading £1.8M funding boost for next generation of musicians, dancers and artists