Growing2gether has won a major funding grant from energy enterprise SSE Renewables, which recognised our unique charity ‘for the positive difference it makes and the potential it holds to enrich and empower the community.’
We are delighted to have received £50 000 from the SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund, which awarded £2.1 million to 17 projects across the Scottish Highlands.
The bulk of funding went to affordable housing and land projects in the Islands, so we were honoured to be included in the funding mix. There is a synergy, however: Growing2gether’s goal is better and more sustainable futures for the youth of Scotland.
‘This funding will help us to build the skills and mental health of young people, and make a real difference in our community,’ said Gavin Morgan, Co-CEO of Growing2gether. ‘We look forward to reporting on and celebrating the impact this funding has on the children, young people, schools and wider communities. We invite SSE to visit one of our programmes and see their funding in action!’
Morven Smith, SSE’s Head of Community Investment at SSE, added: ‘SSE is proud to support these important projects and services that are being developed and delivered by communities across the region to meet their most pressing needs. Without the clean green power generated by our onshore wind assets, this would not be possible.’
The funding will go towards 20 Growing2gether Nursery projects, which will benefit 160 young people mentoring 160 nursery/primary children from five schools: Kingussie High School, Tain Academy, Thurso High School, Fortrose Academy and Dingwall Academy.
Each Growing2gether Nursery project targets a team of eight young people mentoring eight children with additional support needs. The young people, identified by their teachers using our risk tool, face multiple challenges, including disengagement from education/truancy, mental health needs, adverse childhood experiences, and social/personal and communication challenges.
One Young Person whose life has been impacted by Growing2gether is Jan, who had this to say of the programme:
‘I was so anxious, but the nursery child I was mentoring would come up to me smiling and take my hand. She wouldn’t speak to anyone…but she spoke to me. I could have gone down a bad road but Growing2gether helped me believe in myself. I am now joining other young people to create films about mental health to make a difference in my community.’
Thanks to this funding from SSE Renewables, we hope to make further positive changes in the lives of young people like Jan.
- If you would also like to support Growing2gether, please visit our Support Us page, or email admin@growing2gether.org.uk to explore our corporate packages.