Over 70 Edinburgh projects receive emergency Covid-19 funding from Foundation Scotland

Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been distributed to charities and grassroots community projects in Edinburgh by Foundation Scotland.

The Edinburgh-based foundation has so far given out £2.3 million in funding across Scotland, after an emergency Covid-19 fund was set up on March 27 in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust.

The fund is split into three stages, aimed at responding to the crisis, recovering from the aftermath, and then building resilience against future reoccurences.

There is still funding available, and grants of £1,000 to £5,000 can be applied for through an online form, with a 72-hour turnaround from application to the money being received.

The Forget Me Notes project choir, which runs virtual choir sessions to improve wellbeing for those living with or supporting people with dementia, has been given £1,169.

The choir has been running twice-weekly sessions since the end of March, and on Monday were joined on Zoom by a charity from Italy keen to develop a similar project.

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Douglas and Ros, who take part in the sessions, said: “We really enjoy [the choir] because it is completely inclusive, and Ros feels so much a part of it despite her increasing difficulties.

“It is a wonderful way for her to still feel involved in something... it is hugely enjoyable.”

Edible Estate is a partnership of several organisations which work together to promote community food growing projects, especially in areas which lack access to fresh food, gardens and green spaces.

The organisation has received £3,922 from Foundation Scotland.

In Edinburgh they are working primarily in Leith and Lochend, with a ‘Home Grown’ project supporting people in growing food at home and in shared communal spaces with starter packs of seeds, compost and seed trays.

Patrick Dunne of Edible Estates said: “The Home Grown project is a response to the lockdown and is aimed at getting people in the community growing food and gardening, as well as building some community at this challenging time.

“We are flexible and want to be able to respond quickly to the needs of the community that we are a part of. We have been really pleased to be supported by Foundation Scotland and the Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund.

“It was easy to apply for and we got a rapid response that has allowed us to expand and develop into a project that will be a part of the Leith and Lochend community response to this crisis for the next few months.”

Foundation Scotland has also given £4,500 to Building Bridges, which provides up to 50 Halal and vegetarian meals twice a week to vulnerable and low income BME families mainly in Leith, in association with Mosque Kitchen and Asian Concern.

Project Director Pall Singh said: “For some people it’s the highlight of their week, especially those who are vulnerable and are not able to go out otherwise, they really appreciate it.

“I really don’t think we could have done it without Foundation Scotland, it’s been a tremendous resource for us. The process was very simple and quick, it shows they are taking the current situation seriously. It’s a good legacy for Edinburgh to have that this is how we responded to vulnerable people in community.”

Funding was also given to Fischy Music, which offers online music health and wellbeing assemblies for children, Scottish Adoption, and MS Therapy Centre Lothian.

Foundation Scotland Programme Manager Helen Wray said: “In this time of national crisis, we are determined to distribute funds quickly to where they are most urgently needed. Our new emergency Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund offers financial support to small charities and grass-roots organisations that are delivering essential assistance to the most vulnerable and affected through the pandemic.”

She added: “We are assessing some incredible applications from dedicated organisations that are responding

quickly and imaginatively to the challenges of COVID-19.

“We are eager to encourage other local charities and community groups in need to apply so that funds can continue to reach those most in need through this challenging time.

“Charites and local organisations need our support more than ever as many will be unable to raise

income from fundraising events and activities but the pressure on their services will increase.”

A registered charity, Foundation Scotland distributes funds on behalf of over 400 individuals, families, charitable trusts, companies and public bodies.