Exciting news today for children and families across Scotland!!  A total of 51 projects working with children share £407,797 in the latest Communities and Families Fund announcement.

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise…

This will be the case for children, under 8, living in Stirling. Children in the area will get the chance to explore woodland nature and local green parks. The Strathfillan Community Development Trust will use their £3,123 award to increase the access to the parks and woodland areas in Stirling.

Kelly Clapperton-Bates, Community Development Officer, Strathfillan Community Development Trust, said: “This award will allow us to open up our woodlands to the young people of our community, and encourage them to enjoy and learn about the beautiful and amazing landscape we live in. Helping our children to develop a love and respect for nature and the environment that will last a lifetime.”

A fabulous project in Glasgow will give children with a disability the chance to take part in horse therapy sessions.

The Glasgow Group of the Riding for the Disabled receive £4,746 funding to give children the opportunity to engage with horses. This will help improve confidence and encourage relationships with other children.

Lisa MacDonald, Fundraiser, Glasgow Riding for the Disabled, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this grant from the Communities and Families Fund. The funding will be used to meet the costs of running our weekly “Tinies class”. This grant means that we are going to be able to offer more young disabled children the chance to benefit from equine therapy (physiotherapy on horseback) which is so effective for both physical and psychological conditions. Thank you from all the staff, volunteers, parents, riders and, of course, the ponies.”

Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee, said: “Today’s awards are wonderful examples of the variety of projects which we can fund through this small grants scheme. From children with a disability having the opportunity to interact with horses, to the creation of a woodland trail to allow children to explore what nature has to offer, it’s clear that small amounts of funding can often make the biggest difference to children and families.”

Check out all today’s lucky projects awarded funding here…