14/4/2008£378million Funding Boost For Voluntary Groups
VOLUNTARY groups across North Lanarkshire are set to benefit from over £378,000 in grants.
North Lanarkshire Council's Housing and Social Services committee approved the funding of 46 groups that provide direct services to individuals and care groups.
These included support for the victims of crime, counselling and mediation services for families, and support services for people with disabilities and special needs.
Those set to benefit include the North Lanarkshire Disability Forum which will receive £37,480 with the Parkinson's Self Help Group (North Lanarkshire) receiving £11,000.
The section 10 grants are for voluntary organisations whose main objective is to promote social welfare.
They must meet criteria based on the ability to provide value for money, direct services to individuals and care groups and worthwhile local services.
Available funding for 2008/9 is £443,963 and further application for grants are expected to be made throughout the year.
Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of 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 complement 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."
Ruby Armstrong, the centre coordinator for the Parkinson's Self Help Group, based in Airdrie, explained the centre would not be able to run properly without the grant.
She said: "With the grant money, we have two days a week where members can come in and meet each other and do activities - they're a very sociable group.
"We have about 86 members and 40 or 50 come into the centre over those two days.
"We wouldn't be able to run the centre without it - the money covers our transport for disabled members, and it also covers our cook who comes in for special days, or speakers who come in to talk about therapies."
North Lanarkshire Council's Housing and Social Services committee approved the funding of 46 groups that provide direct services to individuals and care groups.
These included support for the victims of crime, counselling and mediation services for families, and support services for people with disabilities and special needs.
Those set to benefit include the North Lanarkshire Disability Forum which will receive £37,480 with the Parkinson's Self Help Group (North Lanarkshire) receiving £11,000.
The section 10 grants are for voluntary organisations whose main objective is to promote social welfare.
They must meet criteria based on the ability to provide value for money, direct services to individuals and care groups and worthwhile local services.
Available funding for 2008/9 is £443,963 and further application for grants are expected to be made throughout the year.
Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of 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 complement 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."
Ruby Armstrong, the centre coordinator for the Parkinson's Self Help Group, based in Airdrie, explained the centre would not be able to run properly without the grant.
She said: "With the grant money, we have two days a week where members can come in and meet each other and do activities - they're a very sociable group.
"We have about 86 members and 40 or 50 come into the centre over those two days.
"We wouldn't be able to run the centre without it - the money covers our transport for disabled members, and it also covers our cook who comes in for special days, or speakers who come in to talk about therapies."