Angus youth projects receive £123k boost

lottery: Organisations secure funds to help them keep changing lives

Inspirational projects that change lives in Angus have been given a slice of £1.5 million from the Young Start lottery fund.

Angus Women’s Aid, will use the £49,739 it received to set up a Young Experts Group that will develop, promote and deliver initiatives focusing on domestic abuse.

From their base in Kirriemuir, DD8 Music will be able to continue its community music project for local young people for another two years, thanks to an award of £50,000.

Katie Reid, 20, DD8 Music’s chairwoman, said: “We are so pleased to receive this grant as it means we can carry on creating safe and inspiring projects for the young people of Kirriemuir and the surrounding area.”

Meanwhile, a two-year funding package has given an award-winning Angus youth project a “bright and stable future”.

The Brechin Youth Project, which runs the Attic in the town, will receive £23,335.

Jim Milne, project director, said: “Since opening in 2002 almost 2,500 young people have taken out membership, with 60 to 80 coming in each of the four nights we open.

“This significant award of £23,335 is revenue-based, which allows for the payment of wages which is the greatest annual expense and hardest to fund.

“It allows our youth workers to continue our successful nightly programme of activities in conjunction with our many partners.

“This award along with other funding secured and others applied for, means we will have sufficient funds for the next two years and gives us a bright and stable future all to the benefit of our young members.”

Announcing the funding totalling £1,534,172, Maureen McGinn, chairwoman of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Young Start helps Scotland’s next generation unlock their talents through a wide range of activities.

“These are designed to engage and inspire young people, and ensure they have the best possible start in life.

“Each of these awards also shares another aim – giving young people chances to develop skills for a better future.”

Young Start helps Scotland’s next generation unlock their talents through a wide range of activities. MAUREEN MCGINN BIG LOTTERY FUND SCOTLAND