A domestic abuse charity is one of four in Tayside to be granted a share of £1.4 million.
Angus Women’s Aid has been given £100,863 from the National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start project, to help people under 18 who have suffered domestic abuse.
The cash will be used to develop a young experts group (YEG) in Angus to boost the confidence and self esteems of youths who have experienced abuse at home or in their own relationships.
It will be given in stages over three years, with the first grant going towards technology to allow young people to meet virtually during the coronavirus pandemic.
Susie Clark, participation worker for Angus Women’s Aid YEG, said: “Thanks to this award from the Young Start fund, we will be able to continue the work with our amazing young experts group members over the next three years.
“These groups give young people a voice within their community, allowing them to learn what domestic abuse is and how to keep themselves safe. They also use problem-solving, creativity and teamwork to help young people find a confidence and strength that they can carry forward to make a difference in their own lives.
“During the current lockdown, we have had to make changes to our approach as we cannot have our usual face to face meetings each week.
“Without these funds, some vulnerable young people would have felt excluded and been truly alone throughout this difficult time.”
Angus Women’s Aid was one of 20 groups across Scotland to receive a grant, along with another three in Tayside.
Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action was given £95,069 to give teenagers the opportunity to help out in care homes.
Through the scheme, young people will work with care home staff on activities such as bingo, tea dances or reminiscence games. The three-year project will support 30 young people into volunteer placements and enable up to 150 young people to get involved overall.
Angus-based Murton Trust for Education and the Environment was awarded £83,420 for its school leaver’s rural education programme. Running for 10 years, the project helps people aged over 16 learn skills including estate work, fencing, dry stone dyking, hedge laying, tree felling, animal husbandry, and machinery maintenance.
In Perth, inclusion group PUSH was given £60,000 for its employability programme.
It supports young people with learning disabilities and additional support needs develop skills in stock control, warehouse organisation, delivery, sales and customer service to help them find work. The project will work with 36 young people over three years.
Neil Ritch, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland director, said: “In this time of crisis, many community-based groups like Angus Women’s Aid are developing new ways of keeping young people connected, and we are glad to be able to support them to do this with today’s Young Start funding.
“All of these youth led projects, whether they are responding to the COVID-19 crisis now or planning to deliver their activities when young people can physically come back together, will empower young people to make their voices heard and achieve their full potential.”
