Community projects receive funding boost

Two community projects in Orkney have been awarded £2,000 each from the STV Appeal 2014.

Women’s Aid Orkney and the Orkney Youth Cafe have both welcomed the funding boost.

Women’s Aid Orkney provides specialist support for women, children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse and focuses on improving outcomes through the delivery of practical and emotional support.

Sandra Paton, the project’s service manager, said:  “We were absolutely delighted to receive a grant from the STV Appeal.

“Children and young people’s lives can be greatly affected by living with domestic abuse. Our support staff work tirelessly to help families make sense of their experiences and assist children and young people as they rebuild a life after abuse.

“Living with domestic abuse can result in children and young people suffering from behavioural and emotional effects so the work we do is long-term.

“Perhaps most importantly, the grant shows the children and young people that people care.”

The Orkney Youth Cafe provides young people with somewhere to meet and socialise, and holds a regular drop-in service where young people can access a pool table, laptops, internet services, games consoles, musical and sporting equipment.

The service increases knowledge of alcohol and substance misuse related issues among children and young people in the community.

Gemma Gunn, project manager at Orkney Youth Café, said: “The £2,000 will benefit the Orkney Youth Cafe by enabling us to continue to provide a drop-in service to the young people in Orkney, by supporting them in a safe environment and providing activities which meets their needs.

“There are many children and young people in the area who will benefit from this grant.”