South Ayrshire Befriending Project has secured funding that will quite literally help keep their lights on. The £5,000 to help pay electricity, rent and insurance is coming from Corra Foundation and is part of almost £200,000 of funding that has been awarded to 48 charities for work across Scotland.
Elaine Rennix, Senior Co-ordinator, said: “Young people can end up struggling because of a whole variety of reasons including social isolation, mental health issues and domestic abuse. We support around 45 local youngsters aged between 8 and 18 and in need of some extra support each year. We also recruit, train and support around 20 adult volunteers annually who are matched with a young person on a 1:1 basis. They meet fortnightly for a few hours offering the young person the opportunity to access local activities, and take part in the various group activities offered by the Project to help reduce their social isolation and increase their confidence and self esteem. We’re always keen to hear from people who are interested in volunteering and full training and on-going support is provided. As well as helping local young people it can also be a good way for volunteers to develop new skills.”
South Ayrshire Befriending Project is one of four charities that will benefit from money raised from the Ayrshire CHIP fun run that is taking place on 22nd August at the Old Racecourse in Ayr. If you are interested in taking part more information is available at chipfunrun@munropartnership.co.uk
Mary Craig OBE, Chief Executive of Corra Foundation, said: “This award will help provide a really valuable service for young people in South Ayrshire. Having basic costs covered makes an enormous difference to charities, and lets charities get on with delivering their vital services. South Ayrshire Befriending Project has had eight other awards from us since 1997, and this latest one brings our total support to £76,600. The Foundation is interested in hearing from other local charities that are working to make life better for people who are disadvantaged, and the next closing date for applications is 16th September.”
Headway Ayrshire which provides information and advice to people with an Acquired Brain Injury has also received an award of £5,000 to help pay the salary of the group’s part-time professional advisor.
