Lives changed for the better in a win for all ages
A Midlothian organisation which transforms the lives of young people is among projects in the county and East Lothian to benefit from more than £400,000 in funding over the past two years.
Rural Youth Volunteering received the cash from the Tyne & Esk Community Led Local Development Programme. The fund is part of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding stream from the Scottish Government.
Covering all communities in East Lothian and Midlothian, including Dalkeith Country Park, with the exception of the urban centres of Musselburgh and Dalkeith, it aims to support local rural communities and business networks to build knowledge and skills. It also encourages innovation and co-operation to deliver local development objectives identified in the Tyne Esk Funding Strategy and Community Led Vision documents.
Midlothian Volunteer Centre, Rural Youth Volunteering, was awarded £9459 to help with the costs of its Transform project, which provides a range of volunteering opportunities for young people aged 15-24 who need some additional support to volunteer. Their young volunteers can have a range of support needs and have often had difficulties in school.
Karen Downie, operations and development manager, met the local action group funding decision-makers at a special event recently. She said the young people involved in the project have shown marked personal improvement and helped to benefit the lives of others.
“It is thanks to Tyne and Esk CLLD funding that Volunteer Midlothian’s Transform Project has been able to support 19 young people to volunteer over the last seven months,” said Ms Downie. “As a direct result, young people are moving forward in their lives with a more positive outlook: 90 per cent feel more confident; 95 per cent have improved communication skills, and 95 per cent have developed skills and experience that enhance their future employment prospects.”
“Young volunteers took part in Transform’s supported and supervised volunteering sessions either within Volunteer Midlothian’s Community Garden, or within one of two sheltered housing complexes where they delivered weekly quizzes, games and social activities for older people.
“Bringing the generations together has enhanced mutual respect and community cohesion. With 24 older people joining in with the fun of the sessions, many described the sessions as the highlight of their week!”
Andrew McDonald, Tyne & Esk CLLD chair, praised the programme’s “considerable local community impact”.