The Big Lottery Fund offers funding for large- and small-scale projects that benefit children and young people, particularly in areas of disadvantage. Examples include refurbishing play areas, helping children living with disabilities, supporting children living in one-parent families, providing creche facilities or youth groups. For a full list of the criteria that projects have to meet to apply for funding, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.
Sure Start workers, health visitors and professionals working with vulnerable children and families can apply for grants of up to 300 from the BBC Children in Need appeal. For details call the distributor, the Frank Buttle Trust, on 020 7828 7311.
The Safeguarding Children and Supporting Families grants scheme (2005 to 2006), run by the DfES, offers grants to voluntary organisations in England that support its policy priorities for children's social care. Priority is given to applications with innovative proposals of national significance that complement statutory services. For details of how to apply by 15 October 2004 see www.dfes.gov.uk/ safeguardingchildren.
The Scottish Childminding Association has received an award of 18,945 from the Big Lottery Fund to set up a new programme of pre-registration training for childminders. The course aims to inform prospective childminders of the skills needed to provide a quality childminding service and to raise awareness of the National Care Standards.
Visit www.childminding.org.
Our Dynamic Earth, a visitor attraction and educational centre in Edinburgh, has received 433,000 worth of funding from the Millennium Commission's ReDiscover Renewal Fund. The money will be used to create a new gallery. See www.dynamicearth.co.uk.
