Grants totaling £2m have been announced as part of a five-year funding scheme

A befriending project for adults with learning disabilities is set to benefit from the latest round of lottery funding.

Interest Link Borders will receive £262,877 to support its work reducing social isolation in the south of Scotland.

The charity, which currently supports 170 people, said the award would provide it with long-term security to continue its work.

Project coordinator Andrew Findlay said: “This award will enable us to create and maintain one to one and group friendships for adults with learning disabilities in the Scottish Borders, helping to greatly reduce social isolation and improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

This funding aims to support communities across Scotland to improve the places they live and the wellbeing of people facing challenging circumstances

“This project will also provide high quality respite for their family carers and the five year term also gives us longer term security than any of our previous projects have ever had.”

The award comes as grants totalling £2 million were announced by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland as part of a five-year funding scheme that will see community initiatives share in a pot totalling £250m.

In Glasgow, Govanhill Community Development Trust will use its £478,565 award to provide a range of support and activities to families from the Roma and Slovakian communities who live in the south of the city.

Lyn Ewing, the trust’s chair, welcomed the award, which she said would be a “huge boost” for Govanhill.

“The funding secured will improve English and literacy skills across the whole community as well as helping local people to volunteer and get more involved in community life,” she added.

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland chair, said: “This funding aims to support communities across Scotland to improve the places they live and the wellbeing of people facing challenging circumstances.

“In the Scottish Borders and Glasgow, these two fantastic projects will contribute to positive change by giving people who feel isolated the opportunity to make new friendships and create new community connections.

“We will continue to work with communities and organisations to support activity which is people centred, strength based and has good local connections.”

Other projects receiving funding in this round include the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, Befrienders Highland and the Star Project in Renfrewshire.