Voluntary Action Fund

Community Chest Successes

Local groups celebrate, thanks to funding from the Voluntary Action Fund

Community groups across Scotland are celebrating today, thanks to funding from the Voluntary Action Fund's Community Chest programme.

The Association of the Talking Newspapers, Stranraer African Drumming Group and Edinburgh's Altogether in the Park are among the 57 groups sharing the £50,000 awarded across Scotland in the latest round of awards.

Keith Wimbles, Voluntary Action Fund's Chief Executive, said: "It's fantastic to see so many projects aimed at helping communities benefit from Community Chest Awards. They are all incredibly well thought through projects that will make a significant difference to people's lives from helping young people off the streets to launching a festival for all, whilst also sustaining and developing the activities of the community groups involved".

The Association of the Talking Newspapers receives £905 to stimulate and assist the development of Talking Newspapers and Magazines throughout Scotland for all visually impaired people.

In Dumfries and Galloway, Stranraer African Drumming Group is set to extend its activities with the help of a grant of £995. Stranraer African Drumming Group will set up participatory sessions in collective drumming alongside African percussion singing and dancing.

Other projects celebrating include The Glasgow's Women's Centre Information & Support Project, The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership and Sail Away in Lochaber, a group that encourages and supports people from disadvantaged groups to go sailing.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh, Altogether in the Park with its £1,000 grant will support the running and development of the annual Altogether in the Park event which brings communities in West Edinburgh together and reaches out to people not engaged with community life, activities or other services in the area.

Voluntary Action Fund's Community Chest programme aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. Applications are welcomed from small community and not-for-profit groups who can apply for a small grant up to £1,000 to fund general activities or a specific project. For more information, go to voluntaryactionfund.org.uk.