Announcement - Befriending Fund Allocation
Befriending Networks were delighted to be one of the organisations benefitting from Winter funding from the Scottish Government aimed at Tackling Social Isolation and Loneliness (SIAL). This enabled Befriending Networks to run a grant programme for members sharing a £41k fund with local befriending projects across Scotland, supporting them to to enhance or expand their delivery. We were really pleased with creativity and quality of these applications given the tight timescales, making our decisions difficult.
This funding was targeted at befriending projects supporting disabled people, young people aged 16 – 24 (particularly young parents or carers), and people aged 75+. This funding could be used to meet rising volunteer expenses due to the cost of living crisis, provide groups or activities in warm spaces and/or including the provision of meals and any associated costs/salaries related to these extra activities. Our members were able to apply for a grant of between £500 - £2K.
Successful applications covered all client groups in the criteria and covered 15 local authority areas from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders with one national service also receiving funding.
Organisations receiving funding from our New Befriending Fund
- Beatson Cancer Charity
- Befriending Lewis & Harris (Volunteering Hebrides Befriending)
- Beith Community Development Trust
- Caithness Voluntary Group
- Cancer Support Scotland
- Caraidean Uibhist SCIO
- Community Info Source
- Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIO
- Crossroads Fife Volunteer Edinburgh
- Cyrenians
- Deaf Action
- FAMS
- Getting Better Together (Shotts)
- Interest Link
- Leap
- Monifieth Befrienders
- People Know How
- Seascape
- Space Broomhouse
- Vintage Vibes
- Visiting Friends
- Volunteer Edinburgh
- Volunteer Glasgow
- West Lothian Youth Action
We look forward to hearing the progress of their projects and matches in the coming months and will report on the outcomes at the end of April.
