One City Grants

Awards of One City Grants 2012

Grant-making to make Edinburgh “One City” continues for another year.

Two grants were awarded in February 2012 by the Trust. These grants were to continue two projects previously funded by the Trust which had applied for multi-year funding. Each project was externally assessed for their previous performance.

The Trust is pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to:

Transgender Support Programme

Managed by the LGBT Health and Wellbeing Centre, an award of £7,000
lgbthealth.org.uk/content/transgender-programme

The Transgender Support Programme aims to reduce social isolation of this extremely marginalised group, improving mental health, confidence and skills, while creating a more supportive environment through working with parents, partners and relatives. The programme provides:-

Monthly gatherings
Peer support meetings
Transgender swimming sessions, and other sports after consultation
Life skills and practical skills courses
Focus groups and consultation
Helpline, information and advocacy
Support to family members

The One City Trust grant funds about half of the costs of the project, with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission also providing funds.

AEGON Breakfast Clubs

Managed by Big Hearts Community Trust, an award of 5,000
www.aegonbreakfastclub.org

The AEGON Breakfast Clubs project provides a healthy breakfast and a positive start for upwards of 1,000 children living in deprived areas every day. The project is jointly funded by AEGON, NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council, and each participating school can be sponsored by a local business. Big Hearts Community Trust, the Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s trust, provides match tickets and office accommodation/administrative support for the project co-ordinator. The One City Trust grant pays for replacement crockery and toasters, as well as staff aprons, thought books for participating children and Hearts souvenirs.

Last year’s beneficiaries of the One City Trust

Craigmillar Community Arts Newsletter

Publication of three issues of a local arts newsletter was funded by the Trust from 2009-2011. The grant allowed local volunteers to gain IT skills, writing for print media and photography skills. The arts project gained valuable publicity and increased participation of Craigmillar residents in the artistic opportunities provided.

Total grant awarded: £1,500

www.craigmillarcommunityarts.org.uk

Bookbug Explorer Project – Scottish Book Trust

Funded over two years, the SBT targeted children in their pre-school year in areas of deprivation across the city. A backpack complete with two books, a whiteboard set and information for parents was given to 1,166 children over the course of the project, supported by fun events and challenges involving children and their carers. The aim was to stimulate a love of reading in children from deprived backgrounds, to enable them to start school ready to learn to read, write and concentrate. The project received funding from the Fairer Scotland Fund, and the City of Edinburgh Council, and was a collaboration between the library service and early years and the SBT.

Total grant awarded: £23,482

www.scottishbooktrust.com

Previous Beneficiaries

Sunflower Garden’s Diversity and Difference

This fresh, innovative and well linked project has partner funding from the British Council, NHS Lothian and Simpson House and works with the Mela, Lothian and Borders Police, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Equalities Unit and other organisations. D&D is a production which will be performed in Edinburgh and provide web-based viewing. Children affected by substance misuse or of African heritage will perform the play which aims to dispel negative images, question prejudice, celebrate diversity and difference, and promote understanding.

www.sunflowergarden.org.uk

Suppporting Neighbourhood Volunteering Hubs

Developing, promoting and supporting volunteering in local neighbourhoods.

Volunteering Hubs work locally to promote volunteering and support people, especially those most socially isolated and least likely to volunteer independently, into volunteering opportunities. Through volunteering in local projects and services people actively contribute to thier local community and improve confidence, skills, health and wellbeing.