Charity secures £130k funding to go towards running costs

ABILITY Shetland has secured a grant of just over £130,000 from the Lottery to go towards its core running costs.

Team leader Stephanie Bain said she was pleased to receive the funding as it gives the charity – which supports the efforts of disabled people to realise their full potential – “a bit of security for the next two years”.

But it does not cover all of the organisation’s core costs.

The rest will be covered by other funding and donations from the community.

“We will use the funding to continue to deliver support for children, families and adults with disabilities and additional support needs across the whole of Shetland,” Bain explained.

“This will consist of a programme of groups, clubs, and individual support which will create social opportunities and address issues of loneliness and social isolation.

“We will also be able to continue to offer outreach across the islands in order to reach and provide support to the most isolated too.”

The project will work with around 400 participants and involve 120 volunteers over the two years.

Specifically the award will part-fund staff salaries and support worker spend, project costs such as club activities and outings, equipment, venues and transport, and office and administrative costs. 

Bain said the total project cost is now over £300,000, with the National Lottery Fund contributing £131,531, or 40 per cent.

“Remaining funds will come from a range of other funders – local and national, as well as our own ongoing fundraising activities and that of our supporters,” she said.