Voluntary Action Fund

New Report - Beneath the Radar

CONCERN OVER FUTURE OF COMMUNITY GROUPS ACROSS SCOTLAND

Download "Beneath the Radar - investing in small local organisations" from the right-hand side of this page.

On 7 December Mary Craig, Convener of Scotland Funders' Forum, joined with local people at the Curam Centre in Anderston, Glasgow, to launch a new publication "Beneath the Radar", which highlights growing concern over the uncertain future facing many small local community groups across the country.

"Beneath the Radar" features a collection of seven stories paying tribute to small local groups across Scotland, often run on a shoestring budget and with limited staffing and resources. The stories emphasise the huge contribution made by such groups to community well-being - and raise concern about the increased struggle they face to survive in the current economic climate.

Irene Henry, co-ordinator of the Curam Centre, said: "We're here for the people of Anderston - it's not just a lunch-club - it's a lifeline for many folk as it might be the only social contact they have all week."

Emphasising the significant contribution made by small local groups, Mary Craig said: "The stories we highlight today celebrate the valuable and diverse work being undertaken by so many small local groups up and down Scotland every day. But we are concerned about the uncertain future they face in the current funding environment - if we allow these small local groups to fail, we lose existing service provision for many vulnerable people and families. We're calling on local and national government to join us as funders in doing all we can to ensure they continue to flourish in future."