Plans to build a new multipurpose community centre in the heart of Glenboig, North Lanarkshire have moved a step forward today, thanks to funding announced by the Big Lottery Fund.

Glenboig Neighbourhood House receives a grant of £148,500 from BIG’s Growing Community Assets scheme to further develop the design and plans for the centre.

Big Lottery Fund Chair Alison Magee, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Glenboig Neighbourhood House and its plans for this new community facility. This will be the first centre of its kind in the area and will bring together the traditional mining community and those residents who have moved into new homes. With a strong funding application and a clear commitment to rebuilding community spirit, this project is a prime example of what can be achieved when people get together to identify and address local needs.”

Today’s award to the Glenboig Neighbourhood House takes the total amount awarded through Growing Community Assets to almost £29 million with 85 projects across Scotland benefiting since November 2006. The scheme aims to help communities obtain, improve, develop, manage, sustain and protect assets that will help them become stronger and more sustainable.

Thanks to today’s award, Glenboig Neighbourhood House will now be able to develop its plans for its new centre which include office space and meeting rooms, training and ICT rooms, a dedicated youth facility, playgroup area, community café and a training kitchen.

Teresa Aitken, Development Manager, Glenboig Neighbourhood House, said: “We are overwhelmed with the support received from the Big Lottery Fund’s Growing Community Assets scheme. This grant is the second stage of the process enabling us to realise our vision of a Life Centre which will be totally inclusive and cater for all ages and activities in Glenboig. This technical assistance grant will allow us to carry out all relevant work required to secure the site and funding for the future build.”

Further Information

For more information contact Landa Rolland at the Big Lottery

Fund Scotland Press Office on:

0141 242 1458 or 07880 737 157
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 10 20 30
Textphone:  0845 6021 659

Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to Editors

BIG LOTTERY FUND

• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004. The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £23 billion has now been raised and more than 317,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.

SCOTLAND

The Scotland Committee, led by Chair, Alison Magee, has been making Big Lottery Fund decisions on Scottish projects since March 2007. As well as taking devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee has and will continue to play a strategic role in the future direction of BIG in Scotland.

The Big Lottery Fund is investing in Scotland’s communities through it’s Investing in Communities portfolio as well as the small grants schemes Awards for All and 2014 Communities.

*Investing in Communities is the Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s funding portfolio which consists of four investment areas:

Growing Community Assets, to help communities obtain, improve, develop, manage, sustain and protect assets that will help them become stronger and more sustainable.

Life Transitions to support people at times of change in their lives – at different life stages and in different circumstances.

Supporting 21st Century Life to provide support to people and communities to deal with the pace of change, enjoy positive relationships, improve quality of life, and establish connections across 21st century society.

Dynamic and Inclusive Communities (DINC) to fund improvements to the capacity and infrastructure of national, intermediary or second tier organisations, to allow communities to engage in civic society and influence civic processes so that they can build strong and more inclusive local communities.