Voluntary sector secures funding for next year’s activities

Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau, Voluntary Action Shetland and the social enterprise company COPE Ltd are among the charities being supported by Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) next year.

Grants worth £1.46 million have been agreed by trustees to help 23 local projects across Shetland. The details were released this week after applicants were informed of their success following an SCT meeting last Thursday.

Most of the support goes to help vulnerable children and adults, disabled people and the elderly, which is in line with SCT’s emphasis on reducing inequality and social isolation in Shetland.

Projects range from helping with fuel poverty, addressing abuse and neglect, supporting children and families hit by cancer and providing support to unpaid carers who spend all year tending family members at home.

Grants will also support sea-going activities provided by The Swan Trust and encouraging community art for those with disabilities.

These grants to smaller organisations are part of SCT’s £8.7m Main Grant Scheme for 2023/24.

Last week it was announced that most of the funding would go to the three big trusts and the council, which secured £7.24m between them. Shetland Recreational Trust is to receive £3.3m with Shetland Amenity Trust getting £1.23m and £716,600 going to Shetland Arts Development Agency. The council receives almost £2m to keep up the enhanced level of community care provided in Shetland.

SCT says it aims to “benefit and improve the quality of life of all people living in Shetland and to preserve the trust reserves for future generations”.

Please see list of grant awards here.

Contact: John Robertson

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