Community groups offered incentive to try something a bit different

November 29th 2024

A brand-new grant scheme is being launched to spark new ideas and fresh ways of working by Shetland community groups and charities.

A brand-new grant scheme is being launched today to spark new ideas and fresh ways of working by Shetland community groups and charities.

The Innovation Grants Scheme from Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) offers one off funding of up to £3000.

The funding aims to free organisations from financial risk when implementing new ideas or innovative approaches to activities or services. Grants can cover project costs and/or the necessary equipment.

A key to unlocking an award is to ensure the proposal contributes to SCT’s “quality of life goals”. These include improving the wellbeing of individuals or communities, reducing disadvantage and improving generational fairness.

SCT chair Robert Leask recognises that the new scheme is itself a departure from the approach the trust is typically associated with.

He said: “We’re known for being prudent and focusing on maintaining stability and sustainability. But trustees acknowledge a need for new ideas to be explored and this new fund encourages that approach.

“We know great things can come when people are allowed the time and space to be creative and experimental. It will be interesting to see what ideas come forward.”

The Innovation Grants Scheme is open to constituted community groups and registered charities. The closing date for the first round of applications is 21^st February. More information and forms are available on the SCT website.

For more information

Contact: Shetland Charitable Trust - mail@shetlandcharitabletrust.co.uk - Tel: 01595 744 994

Media Contact: John Robertson - noostmedia@gmail.com - Tel: 07775 407 796

Testimonials

The funding COPE Ltd receives from the Shetland Charitable Trust supports us in many ways. It allows us to develop and maintain a strong foundation to our core business and assists us to provide on-going employment skill development opportunities to people with disabilities living within Shetland. COPE Ltd highly values the support provided to our organisation by The Shetland Charitable Trust.

“The substantial grant made to us by Shetland Charitable Trust every year allows us to provide first-class facilities and dedicated staff to underpin sporting success among people of all ages and abilities in the islands.”

Having this core funding from the Charitable Trust means that we can use that money where we need it at any given time. It's multi-year funding which really takes the pressure off. To have the funding to keep going is really important as it is improving the lives of disabled folk in Shetland.

The funding that we get from the Charitable Trust pays for part of staff support and matching with other funders. Without local funders we wouldn't have national funders, and without either of those funders, we wouldn't be able to do this, so funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust is incredibly important.

The funding Shetland Arts gets from Shetland Charitable Trust is about making sure the organisation can thrive, access other funds, and deliver on behalf of the community of Shetland. Our funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust really helps us with our conversations with national funders because it shows that we're working on behalf of what the local objectives and priorities are.

The Access to Leisure scheme was introduced to allow folk to be able to get access to classes and activities for a lower cost. I feel that the SRT play a critical role in every community across Shetland and that's all down to the funding of the Shetland Charitable Trust that we're able to maintain that.

Unpaid carers do an amazing job looking after people 24/7 in their own homes, keeping them living at home safely, and they really need help to do that. Thanks to the funding from Shetland Charitable Trust, we've been able to employ a deputy manager, recruit more care attendants, and provide overnights. We're also really grateful for the funding because it means that everybody can get the service for free.