Lotto boost for support groups
Grant will help keep vulnerable and elderly people connected
Vulnerable people in East Kilbride and Strathaven will be able to receive much-needed vital support thanks to a cash injec tion from the National Lottery.
Well Connected, a joint initiative established by Older and Active East Kilbride and the town’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau, received £75,000 which will enable them to continue to provide support for older and disabled people who are finding that their mental health has been affected by the pandemic.
Help is available to anyone over 50 or disabled people of any age and has tailored services to support people, whether they are experiencing mild to moderate or more severe mental health problems.
The project provides access to a range of activities, including online classes, specialist CAB services, trained counsellors, telephone-befriending initiative, ‘Keep in touch’ service, home activities including Tai Chi, arts and crafts and much more.
Chris Thompson chair of the steering group of Well Connected in East Kilbride welcomed the funding and said: “This lottery grant is great news and means we will be able to continue the work of helping people through the negative impacts due to Covid-19. So far, we have helped many hundreds of people since we first launched this service and the feedback from it has been excellent.
“Our helpline is available to provide information and advice, as well as practical support and a range of activities which are all free.
“If you have concerns, we are here to help and our trained staff and advisors will support you in any way we can.
“We’ re so grateful to the National Lottery for supporting us at this crucial time.”
Michelle Campbell, East Kilbride Citizens Advice Bureau manager added: “We are delighted that this joint initiative has been awarded further funding to assist local people through the maze of Covid-19 and all of the implications that this has had and continues to have on our community.
“The CAB will provide practical advice on a wide range of issues affecting people including benefit advice, health advice, employment advice, if local restrictions are put in place, if you’ve been shielding, assistance if you can’ t leave your home, updated guidance on meeting others, guidance on requirements for covering your face, schools and childcare, going to college or university, if you plan to travel abroad, returning to Scotland from abroad, advice for businesses.”
Lesley MacIntyre, Manager and Director of Older and Active in East Kilbride, added: “We are also delighted to have accessed more funding to continue working in partnership with EK CAB, helping older and disabled people in our community who have been affected by the pandemic.
“This group of people were advised to remain at home for a significant period, which led to isolation and loneliness and genuine fear and anxiety.
“The funding means we can continue to support people with a range of flexible supports and services, which can be delivered remotely and also back in community settings, dependent on current Covid guidelines.”
Thanks to National Lottery Players, The National Lottery Community Fund announced a bumper package of grants worth £5,568,354 to a wide range of community projects in Scotland.
Across the country 257 groups are receiving awards from The National Lottery Community Fund for a range of activities, many of which will help people to support each other through the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.
Announcing the news of the funding, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, are making an amazing contribution to the nation-wide response to combat the impact of Covid-19 on local communities across Scotland.
“I am delighted that some of this funding will provide a range of community transport options which will help thousands of people across the country retain their independence, be able to be an active part of their communities and help t hem access vital public services.”
The National Lottery Community Fund is currently focusing its funding in Scotland on those projects which are supporting organisations and communities to respond to the challenge of Covid-19.
To find out more visit www. TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
Meanwhile, other groups to benefit from the wind fall included Mobilize Music Project which was granted £5900. This group will use funding to celebrate 50 years of Scotland’s first purpose-built youth facility, Universal Connections East Kilbride.
The event will look at the impact the centre has had on the local area through the ages and celebrate the achievements of the people who have benefitted from it.
The MS Society Lanarkshire Group was also awarded £9900 which will go towards funding to provide virtual counselling sessions for 45 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across North and South Lanarkshire.