FIFTEEN organisations across Dumfries and Galloway have shared in over £500,000 from the National Lottery’s Community Fund.
Inspired Community Enterprise Trust for The Usual Place were awarded £243,939 in the latest round.
The funding will be used to continue delivering a strengths-based personal development and skills programme in the community café, meeting, and event space.
The programme is aimed at young people with learning disabilities, on the autistic spectrum and with additional support needs – aged between 14 and 26 years – and aims to improve their confidence, self-worth, social connectedness, problem solving skills, and resilience.
Isle Futures were given £135,392 to continue to provide a range of activities and community events from the St Ninians Hall multi-purpose facility, including the operation of the only shop and café in the Isle of Whithorn.
Funding will be used to hire someone to assist with the running of the tearoom and retail area so that the current coordinator has more time for strategic work, including providing a programme of activities for the community.
Wigtownshire Women’s Aid received £130,130 to continue providing evening and weekend refuge support to women affected by domestic abuse in the area.
The refuge support workers will accommodate women into the refuge and safe houses, provide practical and emotional support, and run a range of wellbeing activities and peer support sessions for women and their families.
Stranraer Water Sports Association collected £45,647 to continue their community engagement work through water sport taster sessions, local events, and by providing volunteering opportunities.
Ae Village Community Council received £10,000 to improve a woodland area within the village for community use.
Old School Thornhill collected £9500 to establish a vegetable garden to benefit the community of Thornhill.
Auchencairn Community Council received £7850 to install sections of boardwalk on the Hugh Paton Path in the village to improve accessibility.
Black and Gold Foundation got £10,000 to refurbish their multi-use games area in Annan.
Loch Ken Trust were awarded £8728 to improve community access to defibrillators in the Loch Ken area.
Lochmaben School got £10,000 to develop an area of playground into a community garden for pupils and the local community to meet and share and learn new skills.
Lochside Community Association received £10,000 to buy a van to enhance their community food provision.
Moffat Mountain Rescue Team were awarded £7125 to buy updated equipment to increase the effectiveness of the search and rescue service it provides.
Shambellie House Trust got £10,000 to give the community access to creative activities.
Wanlockhead Community Centre SCIO received £2000 to provide a weekly meal delivery and increased social connection for older and vulnerable people.
Finally, Wigtown Bay Sailing Club got £850 to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the sea.