Funding boost for station
A GLASGOW radio station has received a funding boost which will allow it to employ an outreach worker.
Sunny Govan, in the city’s Southside, was awarded £ 125,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
It will use the funds to recruit an outreach worker and boost the diversity of its volunteer base over the next three years.
Donna Boyd, who has volunteered as a presenter since 2019, was first introduced to the station while in recovery from addiction.
The 48- year- old said: “At the time it made sense to create a show around the subject of recovery.
“Making Recovery Visible became first a monthly show and later a weekly show on the station.
“The confidence and knowledge I gained at Sunny Govan enabled me to apply for a job in 2021 with the Scottish Recovery Consortium.
“Through my role I then partnered with Sunny Govan on DJ skills workshops for people in recovery, many of whom went on
to have their own shows on the station.
“I supported them to gain confidence in themselves, grow self- esteem, meet new people, and become part of the community, just as the radio station did for me.”
Steven Gilfoyle, development manager at Sunny Govan, said the cash boost will allow the
station to create a fully accessible broadcasting facility in Govan.
He added: “With these resources, we will be able to amplify voices, provide accessibility to the airwaves, foster greater connections and continue to drive towards positive change.
“The impact of this funding will be felt for years to come as we work together to create a stronger, more inclusive community.”
Courtyard Pantry Enterprise also received a significant grant of £ 150,000 to continue running a food pantry hub for people in the Westercommon area of Possilpark, in north Glasgow, giving them access to affordable and quality food and advice.
Dale Todd, managing director, said: “It is difficult to overstate how important this funding award is to our organisation.
“The grant from The National Lottery Community Fund not only secures the future of our Pantry Hub in the near term, it also provides us with the resources to be bold and tackle the structural causes of poverty that exist in the community. This is a game changer.”
The latest round of awards sees a total of £ 15,048,544 being shared amongst 384 projects across Scotland.
Kate Still, Scotland chair for The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to groups who are providing a range of essential services and support for thousands of local people, helping to make a real difference to their lives.”