The National Lottery Community Fund, which delivers the Young Start fund, today announces £1,876,551 to 23 youth led projects that will help develop the skills and talents of thousands of young Scots.
A club which provides fun and friendship for hundreds of young people across Edinburgh can keep its doors open. Thanks to an award of £100,000 Deaf Action will continue to bring young people across the city together like 17-year-old Emily, who has been part of the Youth Club since she was nine years old.
Emily said: “My experiences with Deaf Action’s Youth Club have been amazing,” says Emily. “When I first joined, I was really shy and didn’t know much about my deafness. But ever since I’ve been here, I’ve met new friends and the activities have helped me learn more about myself.
“The leaders here, who are also deaf, have helped us all learn more about our deafness. We can look up to them and can see how they’re successful, and it just helps to know that things later in life are going to be good.
“The best part of being in the Youth Club definitely has to be making friends. The friends I’ve had for the longest time have been the ones I’ve made here and have to be the best ones I’ve ever met.”
Lauren McAnna, Deaf Action Community Services Manager said: “This funding will be used to continue to deliver and grow our vital Youth Club, which makes it possible for deaf young people to enjoy the same opportunities as their hearing peers.
“We will offer a range of fun and motivational opportunities to help them to build life skills, while they explore their deaf identity and unique culture.
“Our programme is shaped by the diverse voices of our young people, who through our Club, enjoy the sense of feeling like an equal amongst their peers. “
An award of £92,000 to Tweeddale Youth Action SCIO means they can continue their ‘Food Punks, project which provides cookery, communication and teamwork skills to local young people.
Dave Hodson, Locality Manager at Tweeddale Youth Action said:” We are hugely grateful for the support.
“Through our ‘Food Punks project, we have seen some hugely positive outcomes from young people on the margins, who in some cases had been written off and had written themselves off.
“Learning some nifty cookery skills is the tip of the iceberg for our crew who also learn how to work as a team, communicate effectively, and how important it is to be able to rely on each other and cope with high pressure environments.”
One young person who has benefitted from the project is 16-year-old Cameron* from Peebles who says that the project has helped him gain the experience and skills he will need when he leaves school and looks for a job.
Cameron said: “I’ll be leaving school soon, and I’ll need to focus on either further education or getting a job, but environments like collage or school aren’t my favourite.
“The youth club has offered me help and are looking for possible employment opportunities for me, which makes me feel confident in that I now have more opportunities than I did before.
“The staff give me responsibilities like handing me a recipe and they know they can safely trust me in the kitchen without accidentally setting the kitchen on fire or cutting myself! Having that level of responsibility really helps me focus on what I’m doing and getting it done safely, and overall, and gives me confidence for a more independent future.”
Announcing today’s funding, The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “These latest awards, made to such a diverse range of projects, will make such a difference to the lives of thousands more young people like Emily and Cameron.
“Deaf Action and Tweeddale Youth Action are both fantastic examples of how Young Start funding can help organisations deliver invaluable services to young people across Scotland.
“We are always keen to support projects that put Scotland’s young people at the heart of the development and running of services. If your group has an idea how you would make this happen, then we’d love to hear from you.”
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
