Volunteer project’s Lottery cash blow

May 15 2008 By George Topp

FAILURE to obtain Lottery funding means a volunteers’ support group in Clydesdale are being forced to close their doors.

A spokesman for SoLVE revealed this week that their funding application to the Big Lottery Fund had been unsuccessful.

“Regretfully, this means that the Clydesdale Step-Up Project will now officially close their doors on June 6.

“We wish to thank everyone for all their commitment, hard work and dedication to this project over the years, and Solve wish everyone well for the future,” she added.

Yvonne Cameron, development officer of the Step-Up Project also wishes to express her gratitude to all volunteers, service users and carers for the voluntary time they have given to the project over the last five years.

“The commitment of all concerned has been invaluable to this project and without this there would have been no project,” she said.

However, the SoLVE Volunteer Centre will continue to provide core Volunteer Centre services in Clydesdale area and will announce details of weekly drop-in times to meet prospective volunteers at a later date.

The announcement co-incides with the news that Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for the South of Scotland, has taken action to seek advice on funding opportunities for voluntary services in the Clydesdale area.

She is also due to meet with SoLVE officials and has written to Environment Minister Michael Russell to highlight the work of the Clydesdale Community Initiative .

The politician has approached the European Commissioner for Regional Development, Danuta Hubner to seek advice on what EC funding programmes initiatives, such as SoLVE and CCI, should approach.

Aileen Campbell said: “Initiatives such as SoLVE and CCI provide important services to the communities in places such as Lanark, Lesmahagow, Carluke and Biggar.

“Clydesdale can be proud of the contribution made by voluntary sector organisations and it is important they have a secure funding base for the future.

“Organisations dependent on grant funding need to identify a range of income streams.

“I meet regularly with representatives from SoLVE, CCI and others to do what I can to assist.

“That is why I have contacted the European Commission for information on what funds these groups may apply for.

“I have also written to the Scottish Government to make them aware of the work carried out by Clydesdale’s important voluntary sector.”