Stirling Council has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government to enhance the delivery of activities, childcare and food for children aged 5-14 years old from low income families.
The aim is to help break down barriers by providing a range of opportunities for children to play, socialise and get active.
The available funding - up to £10,000 - will help provide activities covering a wide range of interests, backgrounds and circumstances, including, for example, sports; expressive arts; crafts; outdoor learning; outdoor play; trips and visits, while also integrating food and wider family support where needed.
Activities must be delivered in the school summer holidays between Monday 27th June – Wednesday 17th August and can take place on any day of the week including weekends.
Tackling poverty and inequality
Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Gerry McGarvey said: “This Council works all-year-round with our community planning partners to alleviate poverty by offering a wide range of support services to families, but there is clearly more work to do.
“There is no doubt that the impact of the Covid pandemic has put more financial strain on individuals and families across Stirling, particularly those in our most deprived communities.
“This funding will complement the work we are already doing to tackle child poverty, helping break down barriers and providing opportunities for children from low income families to connect with friends, peers, the wider community and the outdoors and to learn new skills.”
Vice Convener, Councillor Ewan Dillon said: “In Stirling, we have greater disadvantage in eight areas – Bannockburn & Hillpark, Cornton, Cowie, Fallin, Mercat Cross, Plean, Raploch & St Ninian’s – as evidenced by the Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation. It is in these eight areas that we want to see most of this funding being used.
“It is important that, as far as possible, any offers are shaped around what our children and young people have said that they want and need. I would encourage organisations across Stirling to come forward and make use of this funding opportunity to help make a beneficial difference to their lives.”
New opportunities
The funding will create opportunities for children aged 5-14 from low income households who are:
- lone parent families
- ethnic minority families
- families with a disabled adult or child
- families with a young mother (under 25)
- families with a child under 1 year old
- larger families (3+ children)
Third sector, including social enterprises, charities, community interest companies and community organisations delivering eligible activities in Stirling Council area can apply.
Stirling Council partner public sector agencies are also welcome to apply, as are Stirling Council’s Partnership Private Nurseries.
Applications must be submitted by 11am on Thursday 2 June 2022. For more information please visit the webpage on Summer holiday food and childcare fund.