Ten organisations supporting young people with disabilities will share £5 million of lottery cash.
The funder made the announcement today as part of its latest tranche of awards to Scottish charities.
Bobath Scotland; Fair Deal; Creetown Initiative Ltd; Eczema Outreach (Scotland); Fife Gingerbread; Healthy Valleys; Life Care (Edinburgh) Ltd; Momentum Scotland; the Polish Family Support Centre; and Saheliya will all share in the cash.
Among these Bobath Scotland receives £445,000 to support 125 young children with cerebral palsy between two and six years of age as they make the transition from nursery to school.
Susan Love and her seven year old son Lachlan from Alloa, who has benefitted from the support of Bobath for five years, welcomed the award saying: “I know making the transition from nursery to school is a period of real change and families really worry about it.
"Lachlan has complex issues and we’ve had an excellent experience moving him from nursery to mainstream school. Bobath have really helped with the process.”
This is the best news we could have hoped for - Stephanie Fraser
Stephanie Fraser, chief executive of Bobath Scotland, added: "This is the best news we could have hoped for. Bobath Scotland Cerebral Palsy Therapy Centre seeks to help people from all over Scotland living with cerebral palsy at key stages in their lives.
"The grant towards the Right Start project allows us to develop services strategically for this vital transition stage.”
Based in Glasgow, young people living with a disability between the age of 18 and 30 will also benefit from today’s funding thanks to an award of £581,950 to Fair Deal.
"The project will help 200 young people develop life and employability skills through a horticultural and catering programme."
Ann Marie Docherty, chief executive of Fair Deal, said: “We aim to increase participants’ social interaction, promote community involvement, improve access to learning, training, volunteering, work placements/employment and support young people achieve accredited qualifications.”
Young people will gain confidence and families will feel more supported in helping their children acquire the skills needed for a positive future, said Big Lottery Fund Scotland chair, Maureen McGinn: “Today we are investing in a brighter future for families across Scotland.
"Both of these projects will work with vulnerable young people and their families to ensure they have a better quality of life.”
