Thank you for being my swimspiration
The SundayMailSundayMail has teamed up with The National Lottery Community Fund to give community projects across Scotland the chance to apply for up to £70,000 in National Lottery funding.
The People’s Projects gives the UK public a say in how more than £4million in National Lottery funding is put to good use and awarded to community projects in their area.
And it will be up to Sunday Mail readers to decide which 15 projects in Scotland get a share of some of this cash.
We are looking for applications from groups that are doing good work in their local community and have a project idea that will bring local people together and help their community to become more resilient.
Here is one group that has benefited from that funding...
Getting involved in sport with a disability is hard – and we don’t call Paralympians “superhuman” for nothing.
The true grit shown by sportsmen and women who have overcome a disability to take their skill to the next level inspires disabled and able-bodied people.
That’s why Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) was one of the winners of The People’s Projects funding, because its programme has inspired and supported so many – improving hundreds of lives along the way.
SDS received £ 48,810 to support young people and adults with severe and complex disabilities to take part in sports activities with their families and to deliver five National Disability Sport Engagement Days across Scotland.
Craig Smith, of SDS, said: “SDS is a really positive environment – everyone really supports each other and they set a path for others to fol low in thei r approach to inclusion. The difference they make for the people taking part by including and valuing them is incredible.”
A group of young people wanted to explore the barriers that people with disabilities face
when trying to get into coaching. They reached out to the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to discuss aspects such as confidence, self- esteem and identity. This led to them developing their own workshop about mental health, disability, identity and sport.
Craig added: “The funding from The People’s Projects helped us pave the way for our SDS Young Persons’ Sports Panel (YPSP). This group is also made up of young people who have been involved in sport. Members have gone on to work for SDS, sit on the SDS board, work with partners such
as SAMH and sportscotland and become tutors in disability inclusion.”
One of them is swimmer Laura Pilkington, who has brittle bone disease and is a member of the YPSP. She said: “I don’t think I could ever thank SDS enough for the impact they’ve had on my life.
“I first got involved with SDS through being an athlete competing in their national swimming competitions and I started volunteering with them in 2017. I love the opportunities within SDS. Being a part of the YPSP allows my voice to be heard and helps to influence and make changes within disability spsportport in ScotlandScotland.
“I got more involved with SDS when I took a year out from university after struggling with my mental health. Volunteering with SDS gave me a sense of purpose. It sparked a light in me for volunteering and the difference I was able to make in sport for people with a disability.
“After that, I got accepted on to the sportscotland YPSP and SDS YPSP. At the start of 2021 I was appointed as the disability equality lead for Scottish Student Sport. Through these voluntary roles, I’ve been able to work on projects to get more people involved in disability sport.”
The Nat iona l Lot t er y Community Fund’s Scotland chair, Kate Still, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this programme not only delivers much-needed funding to the heart of communities but a lso showcases the incredible efforts of hardworking grassroots groups and projects in Scotland.
“We’re looking for imaginative ideas from organisations that have already done good work in their local community. If you have a project idea, we’d love to hear from you.”
Groups can apply online at thepeoplesprojects . org. uk. Deadline for applications is 12 noon on October 7.