Lottery serves up £20k boost to Star Project
The Herculean effort of the Star Project to support people throughout lockdown will continue thanks to a £20,000 funding boost.
The Wallace Street facility - which is operating a community food service and supporting people’s mental and physical health with online services - has received the cash from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The money adds to the £299,000 the project currently receives from the lottery to deliver its day-to-day services.
These lifelines, including a daily drop-in, toddler group, Wee Stars craft sessions and one-to one support have all been adapted to ensure they can still go ahead online or over the phone.
Crucially, these services allow Buddies to remain connected to their community throughout the crisis and enable the staff to extend their reach to people particularly vulnerable to food poverty and social isolation.
Sharon McAulay, Star Project manager, said: “Amid the anxiety of the Covid-19 epidemic, and what it might mean for small community organisations like ours, the National Lottery has been an unwavering support.
“It very quickly recognised the need for flexibility and compassion and I cannot emphasise enough what a relief it was to be offered an uplift to our current award of £299,000 to help with unexpected shortfalls and to know that someone has our back.”
She added: “This will allow us to respond more effectively and comprehensively to our community’s needs during this crisis, to continue tackling food insecurity through our community fridge deliveries, helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing with our range of digital drop-in services.
“With over 1,000 local people accessing our services in the past four weeks alone, there is a clear need and growing demand.
“This support has freed us up to focus on responding to this, doing what we do best, rather than worrying about how on earth we’re going to manage through this.”
The Express revealed earlier this week that the Star Project has delivered food to more than 1,000 people in Paisley, including those who are unable to go to the shop for health reasons and those who are unable to buy food because of financial problems.
Hundreds of phone calls are also being made to individuals to remind them they are not alone during lockdown.
Neil Ritch, Scotland director of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “In these uncertain times, our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups.
“I would like to congratulate Star Project on the work it is doing.
“It’s an important project that will help people get through the current crisis and a great example of how our grant holders are stepping up to support their communities.”
Today’s exercise is head movements.
This will help reduce tension in your neck and improve the movement of your neck.
Do this exercise in the standing position.
If you require a support while carrying out the exercise, use a dining room chair, table or work surface.
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and keep your knees soft, not locked.
Place your hands on the support, or by your sides in line with your hips.
The only thing moving will be your head. Keep your shoulders and chest facing forward.
Turn your head slowly to the left, then back to the centre, pause, then move your head slowly to the right.
Repeat this movement five times each side if you can.
Remember to pause in the middle between each movement.
Keep standing tall and breathe normally throughout.
This exercise can be carried out any time of the day.
Remember, if you feel pain stop. Don’t worry if you can only manage two or three - just go at your own pace.
Through time and practice, you will manage the five.
Tune in to Paisley 107.5FM at 11.15am and 3.15pm to listen to Roar’s exercise advice