Lanarkshire charity Trust Jack Foundation received a huge financial boost after being awarded funding of £15,000 through Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect initiative.
Trust Jack Foundation’s aim is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, promote awareness and provide support and help to young people suffering from a mental illness and the good cause group received the top financial award by earning the most member votes in Scotmid’s West Region; encompassing Glasgow, Paisley, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Stirling and Lanarkshire, at the Annual General Meeting in Bellshill last night (Tuesday 30 April).
Trust Jack Foundation were awarded £15,000 while Glasgow’s Finding Your Feet won £7,500 and Barrhead’s Tuesday Friendship Club received £2,500.
Helen Mitchell, Chairperson of the Trust Jack Foundation, said: “It really is fantastic that we’ve been awarded £15,000 funding through Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative – this will enable us to help more young people.
“Sadly mental health is still a taboo subject, but there are still so many young people, who require our help.
“The Community Connect funding will make a big difference to what we do – we are planning to expand the service we provide to young people in the area.”
Scotmid Co-operative Vice President Jim Watson said: “Congratulations to the Trust Jack Foundation, who are the latest good cause group to be awarded £15,000 funding through our Community Connect initiative in our West region, which is funded from the sale of single-use carrier bags.
“The short-listed groups were three really good causes and the presentations from each of the charities was absolutely fantastic.
“As a co-operative, our core purpose is to serve our communities and improve people’s everyday lives, so it is very pleasing to see Community Connect develop into a great initiative for our members and local good cause groups – bringing people together and bringing projects to life.”
In addition to Community Connect, Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Grant programme continues to expand in importance and popularity – last year almost 1,200 local community groups applied and were awarded a grant of up to £500 and these projects range from Primary Schools’ breakfast clubs to communal garden renovations.
Image (left to right): Finding Your Feet’s Connie Terris, Trust Jack Foundation’s Helen Mitchell and Tuesday Friendship Club’s Mags Monaghan celebrate receiving their Community Connect awards at the West Member AGM at Bellshill.