Angus Women’s Aid is one of 20 groups who will share £1.4m in funding from Young Start

Young Scots affected by abuse are coming together to help each other through crisis.

A project amplifying the voices of young people in Angus who have experienced domestic abuse has received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to expand its work and bring young people together online during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Angus Women’s Aid is one of 20 groups today (Thursday 16 April) which will share £1.4 million from the Young Start fund to help young people develop new skills, build confidence and realise their potential.

An award of £100,863 over three years means the organisation can continue its work across Angus delivering and developing its Young Expert Groups (YEGs). These groups empower young people under 18 who have been affected by domestic abuse, either at home or in their own relationships, to take action on the issues that matter to them while boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

In response to the current coronavirus crisis the Young Start funding will also cover the costs of tablets, data dongles and video conferencing fees so that the young people can meet virtually to take part in weekly sessions.

Susie Clark, participation worker for Angus Women’s Aid YEG project, said: “Thanks to this award from the Young Start fund, we will be able to continue the work with our amazing Young Experts Group members over the next three years. These groups give young people a voice within their community, allowing them to learn what domestic abuse is and how to keep themselves safe. They also use problem-solving, creativity and teamwork to help young people find a confidence and strength that they can carry forward to make a difference in their own lives.

“During the current lockdown, we have had to make changes to our approach as we cannot have our usual face to face meetings each week. We’re grateful for this award which will allow our YEG members to access online resources so they can continue meetings on a weekly basis. Without these funds, some vulnerable young people would have felt excluded and been truly alone throughout this difficult time.

“As our people say – ‘where there’s a YEG there’s a way!’”

Young Start awards dormant bank and building society cash to youth-led projects across Scotland and is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Other projects receiving funding include an employability programme for young people with learning disabilities in Perth and Kinross, free arts activities for young people in Glasgow and a mentoring and sports coaching programme for young Scots in Midlothian.

Announcing today’s funding totalling £1,462,629, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland director, Neil Ritch, said: “In this time of crisis, many community-based groups like Angus Women’s Aid are developing new ways of keeping young people connected, and we are glad to be able to support them to do this with today’s Young Start funding.

“All of these youth led projects, whether they are responding to the COVID-19 crisis now or planning to deliver their activities when young people can physically come back together, will empower young people to make their voices heard and achieve their full potential.”

Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times can visit the website or call 0141 846 0447.