£1.5 million to get more Scots physically active

Karate classes for disabled people in the Highlands, boxing sessions for ethnic minority women in Glasgow and bushcraft activities for people with mental health concerns in Aberdeenshire are amongst a wide range of physical activity projects today (TUES 5 MARCH) sharing in £1.5 million of National Lottery good cause funding.

The cash from National Lottery Awards for All Scotland goes to 204 community, sports and arts projects across the country, many of which will break down barriers to physical activity for people of all ages and abilities.

See a full list of grants awarded

The first karate club in the Highlands to provide classes for disabled people today receives an award of £7,275. Karate Alba, based in Inverness, will use the funding to run sessions for people with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities, as well as extending their current classes to attract more young people to the sport. The group will also run an annual junior competition to give children, young people and disabled people an introductory competition experience.

Dolina Ross of Karate Alba, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players, we will now be able to deliver the first disability karate classes in the Highlands. Working in partnership with High Life Highland's Disability Development Officers, (Disability Highland,) we will be able to run Karate Taster sessions for primary and secondary school children with a range of learning and physical disabilities including those who are in wheelchairs. The children who enjoy our classes will then join our new Disability Karate Classes in Inverness and there will also be an opportunity for disabled young people and children to compete at national events. We are delighted and can't wait to get started."

In Deeside, Aberdeenshire, an award of £5,000 will be used to get adults with mental health concerns out of their homes and into the great outdoors to enjoy a range of physical and positive mental health activities. Outdoor & Woodland Learning North East Group receives the funding to deliver woodland based activities such as walking, conservation, bushcraft and art.

Julia Mackay of Outdoor & Woodland Learning North East Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our application for our community project, ‘Branching Out on Deeside’ has been successful. The money will enable us to run a third programme for adults suffering from serious and recurrent mental health difficulties in the Deeside area. One of the key aims is to integrate our project into the local community, to enable new leisure, voluntary and training opportunities for clients post-programme and to reduce social isolation and help eliminate the stigma of mental health.”

Breaking down the barriers to sport experienced by ethnic minority women Awaz - Voice of the Community, today picks up an award of £8,200 to run boxing classes for women in the south side of Glasgow. The sessions aim to reduce isolation, improve health and fitness and provide access to new opportunities and experiences for women within their local community.

Rizwan Ahmed, Project Manager, Awaz - Voice of Community, said: “On behalf of Awaz - Voice of the Community, we would like thank National Lottery Awards for All supporting our funding application. This will give an opportunity for women from ethnic minority communities who are isolated to come out of their home and take part in women only boxing classes. This will allow women to meet with other women to reduce isolation.”

Meanwhile Eden Court Highlands receives £9,860 to bring older and younger generations together through dance, Girvan Community Sport Hub receives £9,865 to provide sporting activities for young people with additional support needs and Dunrobin Garden’s Social Club in Airdrie picks up £9,722 to provide an outdoor gym for older people.

Today’s funding, totaling £1,502,897, comes from National Lottery Awards for All Scotland – a quick and simple way to access small National Lottery grants of between £500 and £10,000.

A National Lottery Awards for All Scotland spokesperson said: “With Spring just round the corner it’s a great time to be getting out and about to enjoy a range of physical activities. Thanks to National Lottery players, this will now be possible for many people across Scotland who will be able to take part in a range of health and well-being activities whether that’s walking or cycling, dancing, taking up a new sport or enjoying outdoor nature pursuits.”

National Lottery Awards for All Scotland is open to applications on a rolling basis and can be received at any time. To find out what National Lottery Awards for All Scotland could do for your community visit our website or phone 0300 123 7110