Fife community organisations receive share of £1.1m to recruit volunteers

The grants, announced by Communities Secretary Angela Constance, aim to help organisations in deprived communities.

The recipients include organisations promoting the arts, safeguarding heritage and conserving the environment.

They are being encouraged to use the grants to recruit volunteers from vulnerable backgrounds. This could include people who have mental health issues, have learning disabilities or are unemployed.

Ms Constance said: “This funding will help organisations recruit, support and train volunteers to address the inequalities and poverty in their areas.

“The funding will target people who have been marginalised in the past because of their age, background or health, and support them to become volunteers.

“Whether it’s by mentoring young people, refurbishing an old building or coaching a football team, we know that volunteering is a way of boosting self-confidence, making new friends and learning new skills.

Organisations in Fife receiving funding include 4 Arts – Make a Difference (£7937), Age Concern Glenrothes (£9715), Cambo Heritage Trust (£10,000), Fife Employment Access Trust CIC (£5592), Fife Migrants Forum (£10,000), Heart and Sound (£9895) and Muirhead Outreach Project (£9050).

Keith Wimbles, VAF chief executive, said: “Now in its fourth round, the Volunteering Support Fund provides grants of up to £10,000 for organisations to increase the diversity of their volunteers, and improve the way they support them.

“VAF is delighted to be working with the Scottish Government again to provide funding and a programme of support and training to funded organisations.”