Cost-of-living and anti-bullying initiatives chosen
Two charities have benefited from £4,000 worth of donations made possible by young people at Kibble’s Goudie Academy.
Pupils at the academy formed teams to identify issues within their local community they wanted to support before working together to research organisations that actively aim to address the identified problems.
After deciding that they wanted to support those affected by the cost-of-living crisis and individuals experiencing bullying and harassment within the local area, the group pitched their chosen charities to Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) to access funding.
YPI is a programme funded by The Wood Foundation that aims to build teamwork skills and a sense of citizenship in young people across Scotland, while also enhancing their local community. The Wood Foundation operates the programme as part of its commitment to developing young people in Scotland, empowering them to understand social issues and become positive change makers.
The Kibble young people worked closely with their selected charities to create a video presentation that answered how the organisation would spend a £3,000 grant.
Winning top prize and a £3k donation from The Wood Foundation was Darkwood Crew, a community initiative based in Ferguslie Park that aims to address burgeoning social problems within the local area including food insecurity, fuel poverty, and isolation and loneliness.
The donation has been used to restock their ‘community market’ which aims to provide £15 worth of shopping every Thursday to those worst affected by the current cost of living crisis.
Terry McTernan, Darkwood Crew community development worker, said: “The money received has helped us fully restock our Community Market to help navigate the cost-of-living crisis in the coming months. We are expecting an uptake in demand, so this has helped us prepare and is a very welcome addition to our toolbox.
“We are extremely grateful to have been awarded such a large sum of money and would like to take this time to emphasise the benefits this will bring to many across our community.”
Audrey Baird, executive director, said: “Our pupils strongly believe no one should go hungry and were determined to do what they could to help make sure families could get themselves good food.
“Young people of Kibble are extremely proud that their efforts have had a direct impact on people looking for help and are keen to continue fundraising for causes that will help the local community.”
Kibble also decided to donate an additional £1,000 to runner-up organisation Respect Me, the country’s anti-bullying charity.
The organisation was highlighted by pupils looking to tackle bullying and harassment in their local community.
