Mental health charity receives funding boost
STV appeal grant will help work with young people
A Larkhall charity which supports young people and adults dealing with mental health issues has received a funding boost.
Thanks to the STV Children’s Appeal partnership with Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Scotland (YPI) the Trust Jack Foundation, who were nominated by Larkhall Academy, were among nine winning charities to receive their £3000 YPI grants directly from the STV Children’s Appeal.
Managed in Scotland by The Wood Foundation, the YPI programme engages young people in social change and empowers them to critically understand their local community.
Talking about their involvement with YPI, Helen Mitchell, Chairman of the Trust Jack Foundation, said: “The Trust Jack Foundation continues to flourish and grow due to the receipt of generous donations from companies and individuals and no more so this year than the one received through our involvement with YPI (Scotland).
“The benefits of this initiative to young people, and the country as a whole, will be felt throughout Scotland in the years to come. The Trust Jack Foundation feels extremely privileged to have been chosen as one of the winning charities and the funding we received will allow us to continue our work with young people dealing with mental health issues as well as supporting their families through this difficult time by means of our grant scheme and art therapy and support groups.”
Commenting on YPI and its partnership with STV, Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of The Wood Foundation, said: “YPI is one of The Wood Foundation’s most exciting and successful philanthropic programmes in Scotland and is often a young person’s first experience of philanthropy, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore the big social issues on their doorstep and advocate passionately on behalf of the charities they visit.
“We’re delighted that STV Children’s Appeal has provided funding support for nine of the 207 charities that were awarded grants this year, investing in both youth voice and community social action.
“Working with STV Children’s Appeal, and other likeminded partners, is central to the continued growth, development and success of the programme in Scotland, not only in terms of the grants we are able to award but also in providing young people with the valuable experience of philanthropy and nurturing the development of their critical employability and enterprise skills.”
STV Chief Executive Rob Woodward added: “We hope these nine grants from STV Children’s Appeal will go a long way to helping each project make a difference in their local community and have a positive impact on the lives of many children and young people.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with YPI Scotland and to help provide a platform for school pupils to engage with and raise awareness of the issue of child poverty across Scotland.”