Save Big Lottery funds in Scotland!

The Big Lottery Fund is the largest funder of community groups, voluntary organisations and charitable causes in the country. It provides over £850m for people and communities most in need and benefits over 10,000 communities every year. Big Lottery Fund grants go direct to those who need them most. Now the Government plans to switch the money and devastate funding for the most needy at the very time it is taking other far reaching austerity measures which are making life even tougher for the same people.

Why does it matter?
The Big Lottery Fund is in the warp and weft of local communities and charitable causes across the country.

Its funding benefits:
-local groups supporting the disabled, elderly and those in poor mental health or with dementia
-organisations tackling social ills including alcoholism, abuse, suicide and isolation or meeting social needs like getting online, accessing food banks or overcoming facial disfigurement
-household name charities including Addaction, RNIB, Groundwork, Mind, NSPCC and University of the Third Age
-programmes to help young people find jobs and be economically active
-the life chance of babies though the Better Start programme
-the quality of life for pensioners through the Centre for Ageing Better
-supporting war veterans through Heroes Return
-community centres, libraries and village halls run by the local community
-everyday activities such as after schools clubs, scouts groups and community transport
-the things that bring people together like the Big Lunch, community choirs, parks and allotments
-everyone who wants to do something good for their local community - over 90% of funding is for less than £10,000 and given in response to ideas and proposals from local people and organisations
-voluntary organisations and community groups - who receive over 95% of the funds