Lanarkshire Deaf Hub
Lanarkshire Deaf Hub’s ‘Rachael’s Signing Star’ project aims to be a warm, unique, and community-led initiative created to support deaf and hearing children, young people and families in learning British Sign Language (BSL) in a fun, inclusive, and family-friendly way. Due to the limited availability of BSL classes throughout Scotland, particularly those focused on children and families, this project seeks to bridge the gap by providing creative and accessible BSL learning opportunities. It will support children, young people, and families thriving in language and communication, fostering deep connections through BSL. Funds will be used to introduce classes for children, interactive toys/books, and sensory equipment.
Menstrie Community Action Group
The village community centre is a hub run by the village, for the village of Menstrie. M.C.A.G. aims to provide free community activities and classes to support residents during the cost of living crisis — including free access to the sports hall for badminton and table tennis, as well as library events, craft sessions, and other drop-in activities. These events offer a free, warm, welcoming space where people can save on heating and lighting costs while taking part in activities they might not otherwise be able to afford for themselves or their families. The award would help cover staffing, equipment, and utility costs.
The Feel Good Womens Group
The Feel Good Women’s Group intend to use the funding to expand and strengthen their ongoing Fitness & Wellbeing Classes for Women, with a particular focus on supporting women from ethnic minority backgrounds. These weekly sessions—offering activities such as Zumba, Pilates, Aerobics, and Yoga—are delivered in a culturally sensitive, women-only environment that promotes both physical and mental wellbeing.
The award would help cover the costs of hiring qualified female instructors who are culturally aware and experienced in working with ethnic minority women. It would also contribute to the hire of accessible and trusted local venues, ensuring sessions continue to take place in a safe and welcoming space and support the purchase of basic fitness equipment and educational materials, marketing and outreach efforts to engage more women, including the production and distribution of multilingual promotional materials.
The Halliday Foundation
The Halliday Foundation is seeking funding to develop a ‘Big Cook, Little Cook’ programme, offering children, young people, and families the opportunity to participate in blocks of cooking classes, followed by a shared meal. This initiative aims to promote healthy eating, family bonding, and practical life skills.
Funding would enable the charity to purchase kitchen packs containing a table stove, slow cooker, chopping board, knife set, and bowls, ensuring every family has their own equipment during the sessions. Participants will have the chance to learn essential cooking skills, explore new recipes, try different foods, and enjoy a nutritious meal each week. Food support will also be available for families in need.
In addition, the funding would support the purchase of sensory toys and equipment to assist children with additional support needs (ASN) who attend their baby, toddler, family, and new ASN groups. These resources aim to aid child development, support social interaction, and help children engage with their peers and encourages speech and language development through engaging with their environment.
Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity
Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity’s current priority is to deliver care packages for families in need due to the cost of living crisis. Part of this work is delivered through their foodbanks, which are located in nurseries. For families with older children, they deliver food packages directly to their door. Each care package will be tailored to the dietary needs of individual families and includes fresh fruit and vegetables as well as tinned and dried food. To ensure families can cook meals and can stay warm and healthy, the charity will also provide gas/electricity top-ups, hygiene and cleaning products for families as well as baby items, such as nappies and formula milk.
Shopmobility Renfrewshire
Shopmobility Renfrewshire notes a rise in accidents and hate crimes involving mobility scooter and wheelchair users, many of which are linked to unsafe second-hand purchases. Vulnerable individuals are often spending significant amounts on faulty equipment before seeking support. In response, the charity produced a safety video to educate both users and vendors on the safe purchase, use, and maintenance of mobility aids.
Funding would enable the charity to deliver safety-focused events, promote social inclusion, and build confidence among vulnerable users—particularly older adults, who make up a significant portion of their 700-strong membership.
By raising safety awareness, Shopmobility Renfrewshire aims to reduce isolation, fear, and associated mental health challenges, helping hundreds of people engage more safely and confidently within their communities. Funding would support event promotion, catering, and staffing.