Case studies: Local groups assisted by the funding

Elder Voice

Elder Voice works to reduce loneliness, isolation and malnutrition in older people living in Blairgowrie, Rattray and the surrounding areas.

Elder Voice received £4,630 from the fund to recruit new volunteers to meet the demand for befriending, as well as food and prescription deliveries.

Saje Scotland

Fife-based Saje Scotland provides support for women affected by domestic abuse and violence.

It received £1,797 to move their programmes online.

Janet Henderson, of Saje, said: “The support from Foundation Scotland for three computers has meant that all staff now have decent laptops to work from.

“It has opened the door to women who could not have physically got to us. It is a good advancement from a terrible time.”

Yusuf Youth Initiative Dundee-based Yusuf Youth Initiative focuses on the health, development, education of young people, as well as anti-poverty measures and employment opportunities.

Coronavirus has sparked a spike in demand for its foodbank and outreach support for ethnic minority groups.

The Initiative received £5,000 to provide remote support services and emergency food.

Chief executive Faisal Hussein said: “I would like to thank Foundation Scotland for their ongoing support for our which has really helped us over the years.

“In the current pandemic they have been swift in their response and supported us through a change in delivery of our services.”

Angus Creative Minds

Angus Creative Minds (ACM) provides support for people who face health and social barriers, through creative activities and shared experiences.

It received £5,000 for art materials so people can continue taking part in therapeutic activities when they cannot physically attend classes, as well as IT equipment for staff to work from home.

Sheila Newcombe, development worker at ACM, said: “We know how important creativity is for people as a means of expression or catharsis, as a distraction, to connect with others, or simply for pleasure.

“We’re doing this by producing a fortnightly newsletter as well as an online group for sharing creative work and staying connected, and by distributing new creative resources to adults facing a health or social barrier while we can’t offer our usual centrebased creative activities.”