Duncan Place fundraisers are celebrating this week after an announcement from the Big Lottery Fund.
They have been awarded part of £2.2 million funding handed out to build and refurbish a new community hub for local people in Edinburgh.
This is one of three projects, funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Assets programme, and these three are part of a wider package of grants, totalling £5 million, to 21 groups across the country.
Plans to redevelop and return ownership of a popular community hub in Leith to local people have received a welcome cash boost of £425,270. Duncan Place SCIO will use the funding to help complete the fit out and support start-up costs of the redeveloped Duncan Place building.
Nicola Lamberton, fundraiser for Duncan Place SCIO, said: “We are delighted with this award, which is the last piece of our funding jigsaw and means that it will now be possible to re-open a revitalised and renewed community resource in Leith, with a target of late 2019.
“Under community ownership and management, the new Duncan Place hub will provide an accessible, unique, and thriving community space focused on health and well-being, hosting a fantastic range of inclusive activities and events. It will also make business and studio space available to social enterprises; local artists and charitable organisations. This mix reflects the feedback we got from extensive community consultation, the needs of our diverse locality and our determination to ensure this will be a sustainable community hub, here to support future generations of Leithers.”
Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “Congratulations to the 21 groups across Scotland, which are today benefitting from the generosity of National Lottery players. Amongst these are three new community hubs which will help local people to address specific inequalities or disadvantages by owning and running their own assets. Bringing people together around a space or place is an important driver in regenerating and revitalising communities, building on the strengths and skills of people in those communities facing disadvantage and leaving a lasting legacy.”
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