​Big Lottery and Sportscotland fund benefits 285 smaller organisations across the country – and it’s now re-opened

Community groups the length and breadth of Scotland are celebrating after being awarded over £2 million.

From a wheelchair dance group in Falkirk needing funds to represent Scotland at national dance championships to setting up a community observatory in the Scottish Borders, 285 groups have been awarded up to £10,000 cash in the latest round of Awards For All funding.

The awards programme, a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund and Sportscotland, looks to help smaller organisations needing a boost in funds to help projects that aim to improve local communities and the lives of people living there.

It is open to groups which help people take part in arts, sport, social, environmental, health related, educational and other community activities.

These grants, totalling more than £2m will benefit over 280 groups across the country and shows the variety of projects that can be funded through Awards for All

The New Wheelies dance group successfully applied for £6,110 to travel to Blackpool to take part in the Wheelchair Dancing Championships in Blackpool next month.

Secretary, Walter Campbell Cairns, said, “Thanks to the award we have been able to buy costumes which will truly enhance our performance and pride in our team. There are eight teams competing in this year’s Championships and our ten wheelchair dancers will be giving their all.”

With their award of £7,342, Tayside Deaf Hub will be able to run a programme of training events throughout the year.

All the events will be specially designed to build confidence levels for people within the deaf community in Dundee and the surrounding area. The money will allow them to employ experienced trainers who will deliver the sessions in British Sign Language.

A spokesman for Awards For All said: “These grants, totalling more than £2m will benefit over 280 groups across the country and shows the variety of projects that can be funded through Awards for All.

“We are always surprised at the difference a relatively small amount of money can make in communities across Scotland and wish all of these groups the best of luck for the future.”

The programme has now re-opened to new applications with a new, simpler application form at biglotteryfund.org.uk/awardsforallscotland.

Groups can apply for a minimum of £500 up to £10,000 and preference is given to those who have not received a grant from the programme in the last three years.