Glasgow youth projects awarded share of more than £1.2m

More than £1.2 million has been awarded to projects across the city through the Young Start programme, which is funded by the Dormant Assets Scheme and delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund, with priorities set by the Scottish Government.

The funding will go towards projects designed to enrich the lives of children and young people through tailored activities and support.

A total of 14 organisations in and around Glasgow working with under-25s will benefit from the investment, including Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), Halo Arts (Education) Limited, Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, Standing Tall Scotland and The Froglife Trust.

Duncan Harte, Glasgow Film learning and youth engagement manager, said: "We were delighted to learn that our Young Start application had been successful.

"As a not-for-profit education charity, we rely on external funding to deliver our work, and recent cuts to our funding meant we were uncertain whether this project could move forward."

GFT has received £97,061 over a three-year funding period for its Journey Into Film project, which offers training and experience to teenagers hoping to enter the creative industries.

Duncan said: "This support ensures we can continue engaging more than 4500 young people through our Journey Into Film programme.

"It allows us to nurture creativity, build confidence and wellbeing, and open pathways into the creative industries for young people from all backgrounds.

"Young Start funding is helping us protect opportunities that young people themselves have told us they need."

Olivia, 19, a participant in the programme, highlighted the value of the experience.

She said: "Programming, hosting and attending these events have helped and supported me as an individual looking to work in the film industry.

"I’ve met and talked to industry professionals I wouldn't have had the opportunity to speak to at this point in my life.

"These professionals are not only inspirational but generous and approachable.

"I’ve also had a lot of fun working with fellow young people, who I’ve made good friends with."

Environmental projects are also set to benefit from the funding.

The Froglife Trust has been awarded £100,000 for its Scottish Green Pathways project, which offers youth-led conservation activities, including building wildlife habitats, creating art and environmental research.

Ryan, 17, who took part in the project, said: "I like helping the wildlife, making the environment safe for animals and learning and understanding the types of animals and where they’re from.

"I liked using the different tools to build the frog pond and making the slope for frogs to get in and out."

Gemma Cummins, Glasgow group leader at Froglife Trust, said the programme supports young people in many ways.

She said: "The impacts of the project are really positive in terms of health and wellbeing, gaining qualifications and learning employability skills.

"The young people have fun and are engaged during the sessions, and they’ve learned to care about the environment around them and the wildlife found there."

Kate Still, Scotland chair at The National Lottery Community Fund, welcomed the award funding.

She said: "I’m happy to announce the latest round of Young Start funding that will benefit organisations across Scotland to continue to deliver activities for young people that will help them to develop and thrive in their communities.

"By supporting children and young people through a range of creative and practical projects our Young Start grant holders can help them to shape their present and their future for the better."

Young Start offers grants of up to £150,000 for three-year projects through its Main Grants scheme, and up to £20,000 through its Small Grants scheme.

Applications can be submitted by email at advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or by calling 0300 123 7110.