Funding boost for North Lanarkshire voluntary groups

Apr 10 2008

VOLUNTARY groups across Wishaw and Motherwell will benefit from more than £45,000 in grants from North Lanarkshire Council.

The Housing and Social Services committee approved a total of £378,000 in funding to 46 groups across North Lanarkshire who provide direct services to individuals and care groups, including support for the victims of crime, counselling and mediation services for families, and support services for people with disabilities and special needs.

The available funding for 2008/09 is £443,963 and further applications for grants are expected to be made throughout the year.

Councillor Barry McCulloch, convener of the housing and social services committee, said: “The voluntary organisations we are able to support through grants provide information, advice and care for thousands of people in North Lanarkshire.

“They give invaluable help for people facing difficult issues in their lives such as illness, disability, family breakdown, bereavement or financial problems.

“The help these groups provide often complements the services provided by the council and all bids for funding are assessed on their ability to provide value for money.

“The money we are asked for always exceeds the money we have available so, unfortunately, it is not possible to fund all of the applications we receive.”

Among those receiving awards are: Headway Motherwell, £2000; Parkinson’s Self-Help Group Motherwell, £2000; North Lanarkshire Disability Forum, £37,480; and Wishaw and Distict Talking Newspaper £4500.