Latest news with #IgniteFund
Glasgow Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Three Glasgow charities to receive share of £1 million
The three charities have been named amongst the organisations to receive funding from STV Children's Appeal's newly launched Ignite Fund, which supports children, young people, and families across Scotland. This Ignite Fund offers multi-year financial and developmental support to charities working to break the cycle of child poverty in Scotland. The three Glasgow charities chosen to receive funding are Glasgow Kelvin College's Community and Youth Hub, One Community Scotland, and COVEY (Community Volunteers Enabling You). Glasgow Kelvin College's Community and Youth Hub offers after-hours learning and wellbeing activities for disadvantaged young people and groups. The hub is in its second year of partnership with the appeal. (Image: Supplied) Read book: Milngavie bookshop gifts Scottish classic to Dalai Lama for his 90th birthday Tracy Leavy, director of community engagement and curriculum at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: "STV Children's Appeal funding has made a huge difference to the young people and families we support. "We've seen individuals gain new confidence, skills, and even career paths that they never imagined possible. "Most importantly, they've reconnected with others and with life's opportunities. "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who donates and fundraises; your support is truly life-changing." One Community Scotland delivers workshops and creative arts sessions to steer vulnerable young people away from anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, COVEY's Flourishing Families project provides one-to-one and group support for families and young people during key school transitions. Lee Johnstone, chief executive at COVEY, said: "Since partnering with STV Children's Appeal, our Flourishing Families project has made great strides in supporting young people and families across Lanarkshire with wellbeing, confidence, and re-engagement in education. "In the 2024/25 school year, we've supported 21 families, including 27 children and young people, with 92% of young people reporting improved school attendance, engagement, or attainment, 100% of young people reporting improved health and wellbeing, and 87% of families reporting stronger relationships at home. "Joining the Ignite Fund will help us grow our team and support even more families." Read more: Glasgow student housing co-operative secures first property following £300k loan These Glasgow and Lanarkshire-based charities are among 11 organisations from across Scotland selected to receive the funding. Natalie Wright, head of the STV Children's Appeal, said: "At STV Children's Appeal, we have always focused on ensuring the funding we give is well thought through and with a purpose, which is exactly what we are doing with the Ignite Fund. "Our experience shows that a sustained approach to our partnerships gives real results which make an immediate and lasting impact on those who need it most."
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
STV Children's Appeal launches Ignite Fund with 11 charity partners from across Scotland
The STV Children's Appeal has announced 11 charity partners that will receive multi-year funding and support through its newly created Ignite Fund. The charities will receive a share of over £1 million this year, delivering positive impact on the lives of children, young people and families in Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Ignite Fund charity partners are: Flexible Childcare Services Scotland (FCSS), Dundee Bairns, Thrive at Five, One Community Scotland, Scran Academy, The Yard, Why Not? Trust, Community Volunteers Enabling You (COVEY), Glasgow Kelvin College, Place2Be & Youth Scotland, and Who Cares? Scotland. From building inclusive community spaces for disabled children and young people, to creating peer-supported environments for care-experienced parents, and tackling complex social issues such as gang involvement, unhealthy relationships, and drug use —the Ignite Fund partners are selected for their expertise and commitment to addressing and providing actionable solutions to the root causes of poverty. Their work not only brings immediate improvements but also fosters lasting change by building knowledge and networks that secure sustainable outcomes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The STV Children's Appeal will work closely with its charity partners to understand their goals, ambitions, and the resources they need to grow and make a meaningful impact in their communities. The charities will also be part of the Ignite Academy which provides access to STV's in-house expertise (such as marketing, communications and creative) to offer support and guidance, and will create an inter-charity support network focused on knowledge and skill sharing. Sean Batty and Philip Petrie visit STV Children's Appeal Ignite Fund charity partner, Scran Academy Paul Reynolds, STV Children's Appeal's Chair of Trustees, said: 'The creation of the Ignite Fund sees us extend our work with long-term partners to give a voice to - and crucially, help make a lasting difference for - children, young people and families in Scotland. Our 11 charity partners do incredible work and know best how to support the communities they serve. We're proud to stand beside them in our quest to both deliver immediate impact and find ways to build better futures.' Flexible Childcare Services Scotland (FCSS), which is in their first year of funding, has already seen great success with its flexible childcare model which allows parents to book by the hour and change their bookings in line with their employment commitments, this approach to childcare which opens up opportunities for parents to start, continue or develop in their employment. One mother has been able to restart her hairdressing career since enrolling her child in the Aberdonian FCSS nursery. She has now opened her own salon, where she now employs other parents who previously struggled to juggle childcare and work, lifting more children and families out of poverty. Susan McGhee, CEO at FCSS, said: 'We have so many success stories - 86% of the parents we support are in part time or full-time employment. Again and again, we prove this works - it's a simple system which is scalable and a great blueprint for how we can move forward in Scotland, and across the UK, to better support families and parents who face these very common challenges. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Nearly 140,000 economically inactive adults struggle with caring responsibilities due to finances and schedules. The call for change is urgent, and thanks to STV Children's Appeal, we'll be able to help more families and continue to grow.' STV weather men, Sean Batty and Philip Petrie, visit Scran Academy, one of the Ignite Fund Partners COVEY, which delivers befriending and family support services, is in its second year of a partnership with STV Children's Appeal. Lee Johnstone, CEO at COVEY, said: 'Since beginning our partnership with STV, we have seen our Flourishing Families project thrive. Through this project, we work alongside families to help them navigate one of the most challenging transitions in a young person's life - the move from primary to secondary school. With early and tailored support, young people are improving school attendance, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. The parents and carers of these young people feel more empowered, with stronger family relationships and better access to essential services. By taking a holistic, whole-family approach, Flourishing Families is tackling the root causes of poverty, isolation and educational disengagement, creating lasting change where it's needed most.' The Ignite Fund is just one part of the STV Children's Appeal. The Appeal also contributes to local grassroot charities and organisations via a small grants programme, which is delivered in partnership with other funders and supports community-led efforts. Additionally, through a long-standing relationship with the Wood Foundation's Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, young people are empowered to make a positive difference in their communities.
