SEVERAL MORAY COMMUNITY groups have netted a share of the £1.1million awarded to organisations around Scotland in the form of Volunteering Support Grants.
The Scottish Government scheme is aimed at helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive training that would help them in volunteering for local organisations.
Five such organisations in Moray have been awarded funding – Community Food Moray, who will receive £10,000 as will the Elgin Youth Development Group and the Newbold Trust. The Moray Way Association receives £9800 while Ray’s Opportunities will receive £9986.
The type of volunteer the grants will be used to assist include those with mental health issues, who may have learning disabilities or who are unemployed.
Welcoming the awards in his Moray constituency, Richard Lochhead MSP said: “I am delighted that funding has been announced today, at the start of Volunteers’ Week, for five voluntary organisations in Moray.
“Volunteers undertake an enormous amount of worthy work in our communities and I am pleased that the money from the grants is to be used to recruit, support and train volunteers from vulnerable backgrounds.
“It is particularly pleasing to note that all five Moray organisations have more or less qualified for the full amount of money available and I congratulate them for their successful bids for funding. I am sure the grants will be put to good use and will result in positive experiences for local volunteers.”
The funding targets people who have been marginalised in the past because of their age, background or health, and support them to become volunteers.