Perthshire Women’s Aid awarded funding amid financial crisis

CHARITY: Relief for those who depend on organisation thanks to lottery

A leading Perthshire women’s charity which was forced to lay off members off staff due to funding cuts has been awarded more than £245,000 by the National Lottery.

Perthshire Women’s Aid was given £245,370 to continue and develop their outreach project, offering one-to-one advice and support to women in rural communities across Perth and Kinross.

This month the charity told The Courier they were being continuously “being asked to do more with less” as they faced a growing waiting list and changes to frontline services.

The organisation was also forced to lay off two members of staff late last year, with manager Joan Maclean saying she had “consistently seen rising demand accompanied by general cuts to funding”.

After the funding announcement Ms Maclean said: “We are delighted and so relieved to have the continued support of the National Lottery Community Fund and relieved that we can continue to help those who may feel they have nowhere else to go.

“Where five years ago there was barely any support to keep women and children safe, we now do so for hundreds each year from every corner of Perthshire.

“Is there anything more important than the safety of those whose lives have been blighted by abuse from those who purport to love? We offer a safety net, and the chance to link women and children up with other services, our many partners in Perthshire, an opportunity for a better life.”

Perthshire Women’s Aid is one of a number of organisations across Tayside and Fife to benefit from the latest round of the National Lottery Community Fund.

In Angus, the Montrose Playhouse Project was awarded £350,000 to transform a derelict swimming pool in the town centre into a community hub for arts and education.

This will include a three-screen cinema, education and exhibition spaces, retail space, and a cafe bar.

Brechin Buccaneers Cricket Club was given £113,545 to host a variety of social and educational activities at their newlyrefurbished premises.

The Grey Lodge Settlement in Dundee was awarded £74,854 to tackle social isolation while the Dundee and Angus ADHD Support Group will benefit from a £99,830 windfall.

Organisations in Fife that have been recognised by the lottery are Penumbra Ltd, which has been awarded £119,557 to help over-18s who self harm.

Valleyfield Community Club will use £89,990 to employ a part-time food development worker and part-time caretaker and to also replace the roof of the hub.

Alongside Perthshire Women’s Aid, four other organisations received funding in Perth and Kinross.

Home-Start Perth was given £116,163 while Mindspace was awarded £138,937 to deliver peer-to-peer support for people living with mental health difficulties.

Perth and Kinross ADHD Support Group also received £129,000.

“Is there anything more important than the safety of those whose lives have been blighted by abuse from those who purport to love? JOAN MACLEAN, MANAGER AT PERTHSHIRE WOMEN’S AID

Picture: Phil Hannah.