Encouraging and Supporting Grassroots Activity Fund
About Dementia, Age Scotland’s Forum for Policy and Practice for people living with dementia and care partners, has launched a funding grant for grassroots dementia projects.
The Encouraging and Supporting Grassroots Activity (ESGA) 2023 Fund will see £170,000 awarded to groups and individuals across Scotland to run projects within their community supporting people affected by dementia.
People looking to set up new projects, or those running already existing groups or activities, were invited to apply for funding from £5,000 to £20,000 during our applition period from 26th July to 1st September 2023. Collaborative bids were also welcomed for grants up to £30,000.
Delivered as part of About Dementia’s Legacy partner commitments to the now-closed Life Changes Trust, the aim of the fund is to encourage community-led, grassroots support for people living with dementia, unpaid carers and family members.
It is hoped the fund will address gaps in support for people living with dementia and unpaid carers, break down barriers such as transport issues, and empower people to live well within their communities.
This is the second time the ESGA fund has been offered.
The Forget Me Notes Project run an outdoor choir.
Last year About Dementia was able to award funds totalling £145,921 (from the Scottish Government) to 14 organisations across the country.
One of those was The Forget Me Notes – an Edinburgh based singing project which aims to create inclusive choirs for everyone, including people living with dementia.
Another was Harlawhill Day Care Centre, in Prestonpans, who were able to set up arts and craft classes and fitness sessions for centre users.
And there was Tales From Our Kitchen Table, a project led by social enterprise Sharing a Story CIC and Dunbar Dementia Group for people living with dementia and unpaid carers.
The ESGA fund has been co-produced with a panel of people with lived experience of dementia, who will work with About Dementia during the assessment and decision-making process.
Kainde Manji, head of Dementia for Age Scotland, said: “The projects we’ve funded last year have already made a huge impact on the communities they serve.
“We’re delighted to be able to offer further funding to support this type of work.
“We know how much its needed and the difference it really does make to people living with dementia and their families.”
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Read more about some of the fantastic projects we have funded in the past.
Forget Me Notes, Harlawhill Day Centre, Tales From Our Kitchen Table, St Madoes and Kinfauns Dementia Support Group and Mearns Kirk Helping Hands have all made a great difference to the lives of people affected by dementia