Paisley Daily Express Column

Paisley Daily Express Column - 26 May 2010

BIG LOTTERY FUNDING FOR RENFREWSHIRE

For a number of years I have been campaigning to ensure Renfrewshire groups get their fair share of cash, so it was good news this week to hear that several groups and organisation across Renfrewshire have been benefiting recently from funding boosts from the Big Lottery Fund.

The Big Lottery Fund supports a whole host of different community groups and initiatives which work with and for a wide cross section of the local population.

One organisation that recently benefited from an Awards for All grant is Paisley’s Loud ‘N’ Proud, a music school based in the town centre.

They received £9950 which will go towards new practise rooms to allow them to increase the capacity and quality of the services they provide.

Another group to benefit from the Big Lottery Funding is Paisley Junior’s Netball Club who received a £4343 Awards for All grant from SportScotland.

The team will use this to purchase a range of netball equipment and organise training, coaching and transport to allow a team to participate in an Under-15's netball league.
A final local group to benefit are the Foxbar Adults and Children Together Group which received £7,406.

This is a new group who wish to establish a reading club that will be used for parents and their children aged 7-12 years.

I think this is an excellent idea and will hopefully help to boost literacy levels for young people in the area.

Awards for All Scotland is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, sportscotland and the Big Lottery Fund and award grants of between £500 and £10,000 for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.

If you know of an organisation who could benefit from Awards for All funding contact Cath Logan at cath.logan@biglotteryfund.org.uk

FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT

I have good friends who act as Foster Carers for kids in need. They do a fabulous job giving kids a sense of care and security at times of real vulnerability. And this week we are right in the middle of Foster Care Fortnight, a campaign designed to raise awareness across the country about the need for more foster carers.

Across the UK 10000 more foster carers are needed to provide the level of service that is needed for many young people.

Here in Renfrewshire around 200 young people and children rely on foster care.

Being a foster carer is a demanding but highly fulfilling role. The idea behind fostering is that is provides a safe, secure and loving environment for children whose parents are unable to look after them.

While many children return to their own parents after a short period of fostering, others will move on to permanent fostering or adoption.

If fostering is something you have considered before, now is an excellent time to apply. For more information, email: childcare@renfrewshire.gov.uk

GO! RENFREWSHIRE

Since the election I’ve managed to get out running three or four times. And now that the sun has made an appearance there really is no better time to start getting out and getting active.

The Go! Renfrewshire fitness festival has just started and local people are being encouraged to get involved in a wide variety of activities, ranging from walking, running and cycling to kayaking or horse riding.

Some of the highlights of the festival include a Paisley Mystery Tour, a walk to the old Barytes Mine at Clyde Muirshiel, an introduction to horseriding at Ingliston Equestrian Centre in Bishopton, a picnic on Gleniffer Braes, and Tai Chi.

I would really encourage as many local people as possible to get involved with these activities. Whether you are a seasoned sportsperson or just fancy trying something new, there really is something going on to suit people of all ages and levels of fitness.

For more information about Go! Renfrewshire, go online to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk