Scotch Whisky Association puts grants back into Scotland’s communities

Fifteen initiatives fighting alcohol misuse in Scotland have been awarded support from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.

This is the fourth round of awards from the fund set up in December 2013 by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The number of awards granted in 2017 was higher than in previous years due to additional funds being made available through Foundation Scotland.

The Scotch Whisky Action Fund extends the SWA’s commitment to addressing alcohol misuse and promoting responsible drinking. It is managed by Foundation Scotland, an independent charity. Some 37 awards have been made since the fund was set-up.

The fund supports and develops a range of initiatives that deliver targeted interventions to tackle alcohol-related harms across three areas: Young people (aged under 18); Families; and Communities.

All the initiatives to receive backing in this year’s round of funding are selected by an independent awards panel, chaired by Dame Joan Stringer. The initiatives are spread across Scotland from Ayrshire to Elgin.

Among projects focusing on young people which received funding in this round are programmes delivering alcohol awareness raising sessions, including two football community trusts – Motherwell and Hibernian. Projects supporting children affected by parental alcohol misuse, plus a range of initiatives providing diversionary and education and street work, have also received funding.

Projects working with families and communities that have received grants include initiatives working with one parent families and carers, such as workshops, arts therapy, group and one-to-one sessions.

Dame Joan Stringer said: ‘As in previous years, I was very impressed with the quality of projects applying for awards from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund. All the projects being awarded have a great deal to contribute to tackling alcohol misuse across Scotland in a number of innovative ways.’

Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive (Photo: Scotch Whisky Association)

Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: ‘We’re committed to tackling alcohol misuse and our action fund is an example of our work in this area. We’re pleased that have been able to make 37 awards since we launched the fund in 2013.

‘It’s particularly encouraging to see such a diverse range of projects being awarded this year, from those working with young people in schools to those working with carers. We’re delighted to support these initiatives working in their communities to prevent and reduce misuse and would encourage organisations to apply for the latest round of funding.’

Giles Ruck, Foundation Scotland chief executive, said: ‘It’s great to see so many innovative projects receiving funding from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.

‘This year Foundation Scotland took the decision to contribute additional money from our own funds to ensure even more projects could benefit. This is a significant step to help individuals and communities tackle misuse across Scotland.’

The fund is open for new applications with a deadline of 29 June. Details can be found HERE.

• MORE NEWS FROM SCOTTISH FIELD BY CLICKING HERE.