Published Date: Aug 27th, 2021
Community group funding was the focus of this week’s Kirkcaldy Area Committee with a number of worthy applicants securing contributions to boost their local work.
LINK UP GALLATOWN
The Committee agreed to contribute £20,000 of funding to Link Up Gallatown. With lockdown easing, the money will go towards shifting the group’s efforts from the pandemic response back to some of their longer-term priorities and aspirations.
Cllr Neil Crooks, Convener of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee said: “The important work Link Up Gallatown is doing, to help create a thriving community, deserves to be recognised and the ambition nourished. I’m looking forward to seeing how the group re-establishes the much-needed social connections in the area, particularly for those whose wellbeing has suffered over the last year or so.
“Their community hub will be a vital part of that work and, along with Kirkcaldy Y, they have big plans to deliver on including walking and talking cafes, wellbeing groups, cookery training, outdoor play support, and bike skill opportunities. The successful employability scheme with NHS Fife will also be reinstated and hopefully, lead to more participants becoming employed by the NHS.
“Collectively these programmes can offer some fantastic support across mental and emotional wellbeing, more food security within the local community and improve the outdoor opportunities for residents.”
ADAM SMITH GLOBAL FOUNDATION
Funding was also secured by the Adam Smith Global Foundation towards an Operations Manager post. Subject to securing match funding from other sources, it means the social enterprise will be able to increase its capacity over the next three years.
Cllr Neil Crooks explained: “The Foundation’s Festival of Ideas is now well established and attracts international attention. The heritage centre has been prominently restored and gives a focal point for visitors interested in the father of economics. And with Adam Smith’s 300th birthday in 2023, there is an opportunity to deliver a great range of projects and events during that anniversary year. We’re committed to helping support the Foundation to do just that.”
NOURISH SUPPORT CENTRE
Local charity Nourish will also be able to recruit a Family Support Worker thanks to £17,500 of funding towards the post. The charity supports families in Fife who have children with additional support needs through their regular support groups.
Cllr Neil Crooks said: “Nourish is an outstanding example of how small-scale community activism can create opportunities, positive change and growth. The charity was established ten years ago by five parents who felt there was a lack of support for families who had children with additional support needs in the Kirkcaldy area. Their kitty for cups, saucers, tea and coffee grew into a toddlers group and then a large collection of toys and sensory equipment for borrowing.
“It was great to see them recently reach their goal of opening their own family support centre. With demand on the rise, a family support worker role will help them to deliver on the expanding range of services their families are looking for.”
THE HIVE: LGBT+ HUB
Fife’s new LGBT+ Hub, The Hive, will receive £10,000 of funding towards completing work on their building. Founded by Pink Saltire and based in Kirkcaldy, the money will allow the charity to buy café equipment, soft furnishings, recording studio equipment, exhibition material, and signage ahead of opening its doors.
Cllr Neil Crooks said: “With a long-standing lack of services for LGBT+ people in Fife, many have had to look further afield for support. It’s important that we invest in locally-run services because we don’t want people to feel that their only option is to move away to a city to seek an inclusive society. Establishing Fife Pride in 2017 was a significant milestone in Fife’s progress and I’m sure the opening of The Hive will be another of those milestones.”