The ScottishPower Foundation is supporting nine organisations from across the country
Nine charities across Scotland will receive a share of almost £1.2 million funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, which supports incredible projects that make a positive impact on people and communities across the country.
This year’s foundation-funded projects – which support art and culture, education and empowerment, citizenship and society, and biodiversity and climate change – were selected on the basis of the significant and lasting contributions they will make to society, while enhancing people’s quality of life.
Almost £9.2 million has been awarded to successful charities since the Foundation was established in 2013.
Among the charities receiving funding this year is The Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles (CHARTS), which has been awarded £65,600 for its Heritage Horizons project. The initiative will provide opportunities for young people in rural areas with high levels of unemployment to get involved with local museums and heritage venues. They will undertake work placements contributing to educational, archive and visitor services, leading to national accreditation. The project aims to support young people into the industry and help address current challenges presented by an ageing workforce.
Drake Music Scotland, based in Edinburgh, will use the £50,000 it was awarded to help run its Figurenotes: Everyone can play programme, which will help transform music education across Scotland and beyond. Dundee Industrial Heritage is using its £100,970 funding to help create the Dundee Dome Experience, a dramatic new gallery at Discovery Point museum that will feature panoramic 360 degree views.
Now in its second year, the Dynamic Earth Charitable Trust’s Planetarium will develop a programme of innovative science engagement for underserved groups thanks to the £76,000 it’s received. Finding Your Feet, a project based in Renfrewshire, will use almost £67,000 funding to improve the wellbeing of Scottish amputees by delivering activities that reduce social isolation, increase physical fitness, reduce the stigma around mental health and improve the ability to self-manage.
Scottish Autism is using its £158,675 funding to deliver Affinity, an online coaching and counselling service for autistic individuals and families throughout Scotland, supporting them with the long-term effects of Covid-19 on mental-health and wellbeing. Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland’s Tools for Transition programme will provide support, advice and advocacy to children aged 0-18 with spina bifida hydrocephalus facing the transition from nursery to primary and primary to secondary school thanks to its £38,419 funding.
Action for Nature in Ayrshire, run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is another project which will benefit from £37,554 to support volunteers and community groups to deliver activities to boost biodiversity and improve access to the greenspaces in their area. Street League will use its £56,119 funding to work with secondary schools across Scotland to engage over 700 young people most at risk of future unemployment.
Melanie Hill, executive officer and trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Once again, we were overwhelmed by the extraordinary work being delivered in our communities – day in and day out – and we’re very proud to support this year’s charities. The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to supporting projects that make a hugely positive impact on people’s lives and that’s what these organisations do in abundance.
“From improving education to promoting environmental protection and enhancing lives, the charities we’re supporting this year are doing truly transformative work.
“We know that throughout these challenging times, people are relying on the support of charities more than ever before, and with the help of the ScottishPower Foundation, this year’s projects can go further and make a difference for more people.”
Kathleen O’Neill, development manager, Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles, said: “Funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, brings a highly valued vote of confidence to our organisations and member-networks, particularly against the backcloth of the pandemic and when joining resources, across Scotland’s second largest region, is ever more vital. We very much look forward to project outcomes and our delivery alongside the wealth of other projects being supported during 2021.”
Thursa Sanderson OBE, chief executive, Drake Music Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be chosen to be one of ScottishPower Foundation’s successful charities in 2021. This support will help us create web-based software for the inclusive music system Figurenotes which will transform access to music education across Scotland. Figurenotes is a fun and simple tool which helps people of all abilities play simple tunes within minutes of picking up an instrument for the first time.”
The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 to make a significant and lasting contribution to society, enhancing the lives of people living in communities throughout the UK. It provides funding to help support the advancement of education, environmental protection, arts and culture and citizenship. It also supports charities who aim to provide relief from poverty, disability, or other disadvantages.
