Scottish communities given ‘a stronger voice’ thanks to £5.6m funding boost

A fund which gives community groups the power to tackle poverty and inequality “on their own terms” has been given a £5.6m funding boost.

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said the People and Communities Fund (PCF) will be increased from £9.4m to £15m.

The additional funding will be allocated to a variety of projects, including community groups which are promoting change in disadvantaged communities through training, employment, healthy eating and volunteering opportunities.

Neil said: “We know every community in Scotland has different needs, and that we all have our own ideas about how we can make our areas better.

“This Government recognises that by giving communities the power and confidence to shape their own futures, we can tackle poverty and address inequalities more effectively.

“Through the People and Communities Fund we will provide money direct to community groups to help them tackle local issues on their own terms.

“This new money will support the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, which will give people a stronger voice in the decisions that matter to them and will help communities who wish to take over public land and buildings.”

We know every community in Scotland has different needs, and that we all have our own ideas about how we can make our areas better

Since the fund was launched in 2012, 156 projects have received funding worth £18.3m.

Those projects include the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group which was awarded almost £30,000 to run cookery and exercise sessions which encourage local people to make healthy lifestyle choices.

According to the group, the sessions have helped increase self-esteem and confidence among local people, many of whom had never cooked a meal from scratch before, and it has supported their skills development with some developing the confidence to move into local volunteering roles.

Lucy Aitchison, from the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group said: “It’s been great to develop our health and wellbeing services, and you can see them making a real difference to people’s lives.

“To give people the skills to be able to look after themselves and their family more healthily is really significant.

“We’re so pleased to have the support to be able to address these local needs.”

The £5.6m is part of the £10m commitment First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced in November for empowering communities.

The remaining £4.4m will be allocated in due course.