A scheme to help long term unemployed move closer to work, education or training today is among eight projects today sharing in £3.6 million in grant funding from Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Investing in Communities scheme.

The Learning Works project from Thenue Housing Association (THA) is receiving funding of £445,570 which will help more people like 24 year-old mum of two Stephanie McGhee.

Stephanie, from Bridgeton, Glasgow, left school at 16 and for the last eight years she has held down a number of short-term jobs. Her experience of Learning Works is helping her to turn her dream of getting a career into reality. She said,

“I was made redundant from my last job earlier this year and it’s been very difficult since then. I didn’t want to just go back to another job in a shop. I’ve always been in and out of work since I left school but while I dreamed of being able to have a career I couldn’t get to that point. My self-confidence was low and as a mum of two young children childcare is an issue.

“When I heard about the Learning Works course I really wanted to give it a go but to begin with even that was a struggle as I needed someone to look after my youngest daughter. Eventually with THA’s help I managed to get a child-minder.

“The course opened my eyes and gave me essential skills. It made me realise I can do anything and after I’d finished I started applying for college. I’m now on an access to nursing course and applying for University course for next year.

“I know this is a job I’ll love. I want to prove to myself and my daughters that everyone can have a career but I couldn’t have even got this far without the support and help of the Learning Works team.”

THA is one of eight projects are today celebrating their share of £3.6 million in National Lottery funding thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery Good cause distributors. For more information on other projects funded today go to: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said, “Our aim is to support people and communities in greatest need. From supporting carers to cope better with their caring roles through to the provision of befriending services for people with learning disabilities and employability schemes the projects funded today these projects are all excellent examples of how our funding is helping change the lives of thousands of people.

“Across Scotland eight groups today share £3.6 million. These groups each have their community’s needs at heart and now, with our support, they can make their projects happen. At the Big Lottery Fund, we’re able to help organisations of all sizes turn ideas into reality through our Investing In Communities funding scheme. So if you think you have a project that could make a difference, then come and talk to us.”