- Area:
- Scotland
- Programme:
- Communities and Families Fund
- Release date:
- 21 3 2013
Grants are being awarded to 29 projects across the country today (21 MAR) from the Communities and Families Fund - a joint venture from the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government.
Glasgow and the West hit the jackpot as their projects share up to £40,000 and help Scotland’s young children have a better start in life.
Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee, said: “The Communities and Families Fund aims to give groups working with children of eight years and under a vital helping hand. Gardening, art classes, cooking, outdoor play, musical and physical activities all help educate and inspire our younger generation, giving them skills and confidence to take into the future. I am delighted that today’s grants will support these projects in their valuable work and I would encourage interested groups to call us or visit our website to find out more.”
Geeza Break is a voluntary organisation which has been helping families in Glasgow’s east end since 1991. They provide a valued respite service supporting vulnerable families in the local community. The £9,961 awarded to them today will go towards their Geeza Break – Positive Play Sessions project which will run activities for parents and children. The friendly, social sessions will focus on building confidence and increasing skills with activities including active play, drama, art, music, storytelling, health care advice and parenting tips.
Football is being used as a solution to territorial disputes, as well as getting children active, learning new skills and having fun. A grant of £8,980 will allow Helenslea Hall Management Committee to continue their sports programme called Urban Fox. They’ll organise three football camps in different venues across the North East of Glasgow - East End Healthy Living Centre, the New Emirates Arena and Glasgow Green. The day long football camps will run across the year during school holidays bringing young children from different neighbourhoods together, making friendships and overcoming barriers.
Lennoxtown Playgroup has been running for 43 years. It’s led by volunteer care workers and provides crèche facilities and play sessions for children from three months to two years and two to five years. The group also run parental education sessions and family gatherings. A grant of £10,000 for their Improving Outcomes for Children and Families in Lennoxtown project means the group can buy new play equipment, high chairs and a play canopy. The new kit will improve the facility, giving families using the centre access to a comfortable and welcoming environment.
The Communities and Families Fund will run over the next three years with £4.5 million from The Scottish Government and £1.5 million from the Big Lottery Fund. Groups can apply for funding from £250 to £10,000. To find out more about the scheme and how to apply phone 0300 123 7110 or visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_communities_and_families_fund.
A list of all the projects which have been awarded funding today.
For more details contact Frances Chisholm, Press Team Scotland, 0141 242 1458
BIG advice line: 0300 123 7110 Text phone: 0845 6021 659
For more information about Big Lottery Fund programmes
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland
Follow us on Twitter @BIGScotland or like us on Facebook Big Lottery Fund Scotland
Notes to Editors
• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 BIG has awarded close to £6bn.
• The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £29 billion has now been raised and more than 383,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
• The Early Years Taskforce was set up in November 2011 to provide strategic leadership for the Early Years Change Programme and co-ordinate policy across Government and the wider public sector to ensure that Early Years spending is prioritised by the whole public sector.
• Scottish Government funding will be drawn from the wider £270 million Early Years Change Fund, which includes a Scottish Government contribution of £50 million over the next four years.
• The Scotland Committee, led by Chair Maureen McGinn, has been making Big Lottery Fund decisions on Scottish projects since March 2007. As well as taking devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee has and will continue to play a strategic role in the future direction of BIG in Scotland.
• The Big Lottery Fund is funding Scotland’s communities through the Investing in Communities portfolio as well as the small grants schemes Awards for All, 2014 Communities and the Communities and Families Fund.
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