Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Votes grant five-figure award for CABIA team
An Airdrie charity has received a top funding award of £15,000 from a major community grant scheme.
Counselling and Benefits in Action (CABIA) received the bumper cheque thanks to votes from Scotmid Co-operative customers in the store’s Community Connect award scheme.
The good cause, based at Hallcraig Street in the town centre, helps alleviate financial pressures on people suffering hardship due to physical or mental disability, and also provides counselling services.
It was one of three organisations shortlisted to share Scotmid’s £25,000 pot for the west of Scotland region – with further grants of £5000 each going to the Motherwell-based Miracle Foundation, which supports young people who have experienced bereavement and trauma, and the West of Scotland Deaf Children’s Society.
Cabia was founded in 2000 and provides help with welfare benefits, debt and counselling on a range of issues; and representatives of the voluntary organisation said the announcement of their £15,000 award had “made our year”.
Senior adviser and co-manager Angela O’hare said: “This award will allow us to not only continue our current service, but to further improve our services to reduce isolation now that the recent restrictions have been lifted.”
The Miracle Foundation will use their £5000 award to help employ a part-time mental health support worker, add resources to its website and produce session materials; with development manager Mariam Tariq saying: “This funding will make a huge difference to children and young people.
“Our support will encourage them to share and engage in their experiences and understand that they are not alone and can find help and support through peer experiences, building lasting connections and relationships with people who can relate to them.”
The award to the Deaf Children’s Society will be used to run “inclusive and essential clubs” with activities including arts and crafts, quizzes, workshops and challenges.
Administrator and family support officer Carol Campbell said it would allow deaf young people and their families “an opportunity to socialise and make lasting friendships in an understanding environment where they are welcomed, heard, valued and respected”.
Scotmid launched the Community Connect scheme four years ago and has since awarded more than £460,000 to 42 good causes.
Head of communities and membership Shirley Macgillivray said: “Community Connect is one of the main ways we can support the communities we serve and we’re delighted to provide CABIA, the Miracle Foundation and West of Scotland Deaf Children’s Society with this funding.
“It will help them to continue providing vital services. Times remain challenging for many people; being able to help improve the lives of others across the country is one of the very reasons we exist.”