Essentia Foundation celebrates second round of multi-year awards
In May 2022, The Essentia Foundation embarked on an important pilot initiative that aimed to provide long term financial assistance to youth organisations across Scotland.
The Multi-year awards programme gave applicants the chance to apply for three-year awards of £9,000.00. The response to this initiative was nothing short of overwhelming, underscoring the pressing need for sustained funding options within the third sector.
Fast forward 12 months to 2023, and The Essentia Foundation renewed its commitment to empowering youth organisations in Scotland through the relaunch of its multiyear awards program. With a fresh slate of applicant organisations, this initiative continued to make a meaningful impact. In a move that demonstrated its ongoing dedication to the cause, the foundation awarded grants of up to £9,000 to 10 carefully selected organizations hailing from 8 local authorities across Scotland. This year's projects spanned digital literacy, young mother education, and sports/music access, showcasing a commitment to reducing inequalities amongst young people in Scotland.
In the Central Belt, Crosshouse Children’s Fund received an award to go towards a three-year, Therapeutic Play Programme. This is an ongoing project which will aim to provide age and needs appropriate play and events for children in Crosshouse Hospital and Ayrshire Maternity Hospital. It is hoped that over 100 children will stand to directly benefit from project activities.
A spokesperson for Crosshouse Hospital said: “Crosshouse Children’s Fund is delighted to have the support of the Essentia Foundation towards our Therapeutic Play Programme. A hospital visit or stay can be an anxious, daunting experience. During even the darkest and most difficult moments, our special play staff create joyful memories, ensuring that every young patient has the opportunity to laugh and play. Even something as simple as arts and crafts can make a world of difference. We couldn’t provide this vital service without the continued support of donors like the Essentia Foundation!”
Further north in the Western Highlands, ATLAS Arts received an award which will go towards their School of Plural Futures (SoPF) project. This is a youth-led creative learning programme that looks to explore climate justice from a rural and island perspective. As part of the project, 15-20 young people (aged 16-25) who live across Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh will work alongside a lead artist to co-develop, design, and deliver an alternative ‘school’ programme spanning three years.
This will be achieved through a series of focused weekend sessions, 1-1 meetings, and public events, and will consist of activities such as creative writing, print-making, book-binding, and film-making. From this activity, they hope it will help the young people to build confidence and excitement about the position of Skye in the world, and to connect young people with a community to make things happen.
In Tayside, a three-year award of £9,000.00 went to The Dundee Crisis Pregnancy Trust to support their DOWNLOAD service which is delivered to young people aged 12-25. The project will be delivered by specialist counsellors trained to work with young people, creating a safe space and trauma responsive setting. It is estimated that 31 young participants will have access to important mental health support through this project.
A representative of the Dundee Crisis Pregnancy Trust said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded funding from the Essentia Foundation and so excited to be a part of the programme! The grant will make a huge difference to our group work programmes allowing our to support and create safe spaces for young people in Dundee and Tayside areas. Thank you!”
The Essentia Foundation maintains its resolute commitment to bolstering youth organisations over extended periods. In a landscape where multiyear funding is scarce, the Foundation takes pride in providing this exceptional opportunity for lasting support. Trustees look forward to tracking the progress of all projects as they begin their journey in 2023. To find out more about what the Foundation has funded, have a look at their case studies.
The next round of funding is scheduled to reopen to new applications for a 12 month, small grants programme on 23rd October 2023. For further details, visit the Essentia Foundation Fund page.