The fund was set up in 2013 by the SWA, to provide awards of £100,000 in total each year until 2018, to initiatives addressing alcohol misuse. Additional funding of £85,000 provided via Foundation Scotland, meant the fund was able to increase the number of awards made in 2017.
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| SWA announces latest round of awards from its Scotch Whisky Action Fund |
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund, supports and develops a range of initiatives that deliver targeted interventions to tackle alcohol-related harms across three areas: Young people (aged under 18), Families and Communities.
Among projects focusing on young people which received funding in this round are programmes delivering alcohol awareness raising sessions, including two football community trusts - Motherwell and Hibernian. Projects supporting children affected by parental alcohol misuse, plus a range of initiatives providing diversionary and education and street work, have also received funding.
Projects working with families and communities that have received grants include initiatives working with one parent families and carers, such as workshops, arts therapy, group and one-to-one sessions.
Commenting on the news, Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive, said: "We're committed to tackling alcohol misuse and our action fund is an example of our work in this area. We're pleased that have been able to make 37 awards since we launched the fund in 2013. It's particularly encouraging to see such a diverse range of projects being awarded this year, from those working with young people in schools to those working with carers. We're delighted to support these initiatives working in their communities to prevent and reduce misuse and would encourage organisations to apply for the latest round of funding."
All the initiatives to receive backing in the latest round of funding were selected by an independent awards panel, chaired by Dame Joan Stringer. The initiatives are spread across Scotland from Ayrshire to Elgin.
Posted by Steve Rush