Nine of Scotland’s most inspiring and innovative charities have been awarded a share of £1.1 million
Charity projects to tackle food poverty, break down barriers for people with physical and learning disabilities and preserve Scotland’s history and natural heritage will be reach more people than ever before thanks to a funding boost.
Nine of Scotland’s most inspiring and innovative charities have been awarded a share of £1.1 million from the ScottishPower Foundation’s 2022 funding allocation to drive positive change across the country and give people and communities the chance to reach their full potential.
An ambitious project to tackle food poverty in a Glasgow high-rise estate, pictured above, will help disadvantaged people and families access affordable, healthy and nutritious food. The Linkes Community Food Project at the Lincoln Avenue estate in Knightswood will establish a dedicated Community Food Hub for local people.
During the pandemic, the charity piloted a weekly Community Food Hub, providing grocery packs in response to an increase in food poverty and delivering more than 18,000 meals to older people and 2,000 grocery packs to families. The ScottishPower Foundation funding will help create a permanent base for the hub, establish a food activity and distribution programme – including cooking sessions, home-growing and meal kits – as well as help people access wider support services.
Melanie Hill, executive officer and trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said:“The Community Food Project is a terrific example of the difference our funding can make and will be life-changing for all those who benefit, relieving a huge amount of pressure for anyone worrying about where the next meal is coming from. Linkes is a real driving force in the local community and will deliver the project in conjunction with local people to ensure it helps those who need it most. We’re proud to play a part in making that happen.”
Niki Logan, senior community development worker at The Linkes Community Food Project, said: “This funding will allow us to progress a new venue on the estate to distribute good food in a fair and more sustainable way. The launch of this project will make a huge difference to our local community, many of whom have been faced with food poverty as a result of the increase in cost of living. This initiative will provide local residents with the increased food security they need and deserve. We will also be working with local people to design and plant a small food forest and look forward to that bearing fruit for years to come”.
Other 2022 funded projects include the National Library of Scotland, which is accelerating its Scotland's Tapes Go Digital project, while Whizz-Kidz’ Wheeling for Independence’ projects will train new practitioners across Scotland to help young wheelchairs use their wheelchairs more independently.
Cutting Edge Theatre’s INSPIRE Disability Arts project (below) will help establish equal access to the performing arts for those who have learning disabilities.
The Green Team in Edinburgh and the Lothians will grow its Green Shoots project, which provides opportunities for disadvantaged young people to engage with nature. Participants will work together to improve local greenspaces, while learning wilderness living skills and nature connection techniques to deepen their connection to the natural environment.
Playlist for Life, based in Anderston in Glasgow, will launch its Music Connects Communities project to help families living with dementia. The charity will create a UK-wide network of Help Points where people affected by dementia can access free information and support to create personalised playlists, which have been found to be extremely beneficial for those living with dementia.
Fife wildlife conservation charity, Froglife, will restore Cowdenbeath Wetland and Swan Pond to help build habitats for freshwater bodies and simultaneously improve the biodiversity of the surrounding area.
Edinburgh Science’s Generation Science 2022 project will help improve primary science education for children in the most deprived areas of Scotland and provide opportunities they would not normally get to experience. The project will provide fun and engaging science workshops that contribute to raising aspirations among children across Scotland.
The ScottishPower Foundation is also supporting Street League – a charity devoted to changing the lives of disadvantaged young people through the power of football. Through its award-winning sport and employability programme, Street League will provide 1,000 young people with the second chance they deserve to gain qualifications and move into sustained employment, education, or further training.
The 2022 funding investment sees the foundation hit the milestone of £10m in funding grants it's given out since it was established in 2013.
It's planning a series of activities to celebrate the landmark funding figure throughout 2022.
