17 June 1999

£11.1 million for Scotland’s community groups

The National Lottery Charities Board today announces grants totaling £11.1 million for Scotland’s community groups and voluntary sector. Eighty-one organisations providing community development, care, advice, information and other local services throughout the country will benefit.

Speaking at the opening of the Board’s new premises in Glasgow, the Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon. Dr. John Reid praised the Charities Board’s support for voluntary sector organisations which deliver vital services in Scotland.

Several of the projects featured in today’s announcements will benefit people all over the country, with the largest nation-wide grant (£486,587) going to the Princes Trust Volunteers for a Glasgow-based project which will enable 500 young offenders to work together to improve the quality of life for themselves and their communities.

The National Autistic Society receives a grant of £315,599 to support the autistic community in Scotland and create six special play schemes for autistic children.

Letslink Scotland based in Glasgow receives is first major cast boost to develop the barter-based exchange systems known as Local Exchange Trading Systems. The potential for a cashless economy to acknowledge the proper value of a wide range of skills has long been recognised and the grant of £169,621 will help create new LETS groups and strengthen existing ones.

A grant of £160,144 to The Scottish Refugee Council will create a fund-raising and information programme aimed at improving the profile of refugees and their problems.

Today’s announcement brings the total distributed by the National Lottery Charities Board in Scotland to just over £120 million. The grants are awarded under the Community Involvement Programme, designed to fund projects which enable people to play a fuller part in the community, and the Poverty and Disadvantage Programme for projects which tackle the causes or effects of poverty. Groups looking for funds can get an application pack for either programme by phoning 0345 919191.

For more information contact Kay Caldwell on 0131 221 7100 or 0468 583441.