Two Edinburgh-based organisations which support children and young people have been awarded more than £200,000 of funding by The National Lottery Community Fund.
The first, Lyra, is a children and teen led creative body and is to receive £99,331 from the charity and will use it to run their Teens at Lyra programme. This will support at least 50 young people from 12 to 18 who live in areas of deprivation in the next three years.
The programme is designed to help those taking part to develop essential creative and life skills to improve their physical and mental well-being.
One Lyra participant, aged 15, said: “I take part at Lyra to have fun and express myself. Also, to build up skills to put stuff in my CV. I enjoy performing and meeting my friends after school because I may not have a chance to meet them otherwise.”
Anna Plasberg-Hill, Teens at Lyra Engagement Producer, said: “The support we receive from Young Start makes a huge impact on the teenagers in our community. Through Teens at Lyra young people can express themselves and gain new experiences in a safe, supportive environment, building skills that will see them into the future. I’m immensely proud of what our young people achieve – it’s amazing to see their progress throughout the year.”
The second organisation, Adoption UK, will receive £99,235 which is continuation funding for the #E project.
Their project summary states: “This is an award-winning service supporting care experienced adopted children and young people in Scotland.
“The three year project will engage and empower 178 young people through age-specific social activities, skills workshops and personal advocacy opportunities. This peer-support model will create a life-long support network for young people often facing health, educational and relationship challenges.
“The programme has already evidenced positive outcomes around improved social/emotional wellbeing, increased self-esteem and skills development particularly in relation to self-advocacy.”
