By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie has expressed her joy after 11 local groups benefited from National Lottery funding to the tune of almost £70,000.
The National Lottery Community Fund supports communities to thrive by providing a range of local groups with funding. In the latest tranche of funding a number of different local projects were supported.
These are Autism on the Water based at Rhu Marina; Castlegreen Allotments Association and Clifftop Projects Cic, both in Dumbarton; Cove Burgh Hall; Dumbarton Shoto Budo; Food For Thought; Healthy Heart Lifestyle Club; Helensburgh Art Hub; Lomond Radio Club and Renton Community Development Trust.
The Dumbarton constituency MSP, PICTURED RIGHT, said: “There are a plethora of groups across West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond who do fantastic work in our communities.
“They open up opportunities which may not exist for local residents and it is brilliant news to hear that almost £70,000 is being invested here by the National Lottery to fund these programmes.
“I am absolutely delighted and hope that these grants give the projects a little bit of extra support which helps them to keep these lifeline services going as they face increased running costs due to the cost of living crisis.
“It is also a joy to read that this funding will help some groups expand their programmes, reaching even more people within the area.
“Thank you to the National Lottery for seeing the benefit of these local organisations.”
Autism on the Water received a £7,500 grant which will help the group provide access to free sailing opportunities for people with autism and their families.
Castlegreen Allotments Association received a £1,800 grant which will be used to replace the cover on an existing polytunnel at a well established and popular allotment site in Dumbarton.
Clifftop Projects Cic received a £8,996 grant which will be used to continue and develop a piloted adult creative class in Dumbarton West. This project will bring local people together to participate in a range of weekly creative art activity sessions to help tackle social isolation and improve health and well-being.
Cove Burgh Hall received a £5,400 grant which will be used to carry out a range of minor repairs and improvements to the community owned hall.
Dumbarton Shoto Budo received a £3,775 grant which will be used to purchase team kit for its participants and to participate in a national Shoto Budo martial arts training event.
Food for Thought SCIO received a £9,400 grant which will enable the charity to connect with and better support more people who are vulnerable, isolated, lonely and may be experiencing food insecurity.
It will also facilitate access to other support provided by Food for Thought, and through signposting to other local support services.
Healthy Heart Lifestyle Club received a £4,130 grant which will be used to promote the club’s activities to the wider community, help meet running costs and purchase replacement items of gym equipment. The project aims to increase membership and has future plans to expand the range of activities offered.
Helensburgh Art Hub received a £7,500 grant which will go towards increasing the range of accessible arts and crafts activities available to local groups through the recruitment of a Programme Co-ordinator. The activities will promote social inclusion and creative expression for those affected by disability, poor mental health and social isolation.
Lomond Radio Club received a £8,075 grant which will be used to purchase radio equipment for the amateur radio club based in Renton. It will also offer training to people of all ages from beginners through to advanced levels.
Renton Community Development Trust received a £8,800 grant which will be used to upgrade and refurbish a large meeting room within the John Connolly Centre which is owned and operated by the group.
West Dunbartonshire Council received a £3,515 grant which will fund the delivery of an adult learners event in West Dunbartonshire, bringing past and current learners together to promote adult learning opportunities to future learners.
Up to date information about all The National Lottery Community Fund funding programmes is available at https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes