Street Assist Edinburgh have been short-listed to become the latest recipients of funding from Scotmid’s Community Connect – potentially being awarded up to £15,000 by members to fund a key project.
Launched in 2017, Community Connect enables Scotmid members to award good cause groups in their local area with a share of £25,000, generated via the sale of single use carrier bags.
In Scotmid’s East Member Region – encompassing Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians – Street Assist, Kids Love Clothes and Community One Stop Shop are the good cause groups, who have been short-listed by a Scotmid member selection panel to receive funding of either the top award £15,000 or two runners-up awards of £5,000.
Scotmid members collect votes by swiping their Community Connect card after every in-store purchase and then cast their votes for their preferred good cause group either in-store or at Scotmid’s East Region Annual General Meeting at Murrayfield Stadium in April 2020.
Street Assist Edinburgh provide non-judgemental welfare and first aid from 10pm to 4am every Friday and Saturday night in the capital’s city centre and look after the physical and mental wellbeing of vulnerable people suffering from illness, intoxication, drug use or assault to make sure they are safe.
The charity plan to spend any Connect funding on purchasing an additional vehicle to cover more of the city centre area in order to be able to reach more people.
Street Assist Edinburgh Founder and Director Neil Logan said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for Scotmid Community Connect funding.
“Street Assist Edinburgh is a Charity which delivers a Welfare and First Aid Service every Friday and Saturday night between the hours of 10pm to 4am within the City Centre of Edinburgh; supporting people who become vulnerable during the busy night time economy hours, assisting our emergency services with the aim of reducing the number of people attending Emergency Departments for Intoxication and Minor Injuries.
“The project is delivered entirely by Volunteers. We are seeking funding to assist in the running costs of the project and for future development. The fund would contribute towards purchasing a new vehicle to help us be more responsive to the many calls for assistance we receive, uniforms and training for our volunteers.”