City groups receive more than £ 1m from community fund

COMMUNITY groups in and around Glasgow received over

£ 1 million altogether from a fund.

Since 2020, the Glasgow Community Anchors’ Fund has awarded 49 grants supporting 27 organisations.

This year, 13 grants totalling £ 322,000 were pledged to groups, bringing the total to more than £ 1 million.

Among them was Maryhill Community Central Hall, which has been awarded £ 17,000 to support people in the area struggling to pay for heating, and the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, which received £ 29,493 to fund The People’s Pantry.

Mark McRitchie, chief executive of Community Central Hall, said: “The community is really struggling right now with the impact of the rising cost of living, on top of the long- term challenges of poverty and exclusion.

“Additional funding will enable us to provide meaningful assistance for things like food, warmth and access to digital services to the local community.”

Fatima Uygun, manager of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, said: “A recent study found that less than a quarter of people who frequently struggle to afford food would use a food bank, due to the stigma.

“The People’s Pantry is set up like a normal shop and although the price paid for purchases is very small, it creates a different dynamic and reduces the potential shame felt by those in crisis.

“The Community Anchor funding will make a huge difference to people disproportionately affected by food poverty, by helping us to make an impact on their health and wellbeing with affordable food, growing and cooking projects.”

The fund is a partnership between the HFD Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation.

Nancy Doyle- Hall, executive director of the Virgin Money Foundation, said: “The Virgin Money Foundation supports community leaders and community entrepreneurs who have a vision for change in their area.

“We are constantly inspired by their energy and commitment. Community Anchors in Glasgow are helping to reduce the immediate impact of the cost- ofliving crisis by providing help to the people who need it most through each grant.

“They are also helping people increase their resilience, connections and skills longer term, tackling poverty at its roots.”