Live UnLtd are launching their Summer of Social Action Campaign and are on the hunt to find young people who want to make a difference! 

The deadline for applications for this campaign is 31st May 2012.

We support  young people to run inter-generational projects, start sports, arts, environmental and community projects; projects to address bullying, isolation and much more.  Some of our award winners start their own sustainable social enterprises. All projects and enterprises are run by the young people themselves (those under 18 will need an advisor who can be a teacher, youth worker, parent or similar).  For examples of projects please see: www.liveunltd.com

Who can apply?

Individuals or small informal groups leading their own idea. Applicants must be aged 11-21 and live in the UK.  Sorry, we can’t accept applications made on behalf of organisations such as youth clubs or schools. 

Applications to Live UnLtd must

·         Have a positive social impact on the applicant’s community

·         Have identified a problem and show how the project will tackle the problem

·         Tell us what specific activities the project/enterprise includes and what it hopes to achieve

·         Provide a learning experience or opportunity for the applicant

Why should 11-21 year olds apply to Live UnLtd?

Receiving an award allows individuals to use their creativity and learning in a hands-on way which may enhance their CVs. They can also help erase the negative stereotypes associated with ‘youth culture’ in the media today while making their world a better place.

What can they apply for?

The costs of running projects. For example: venue hire, equipment costs, marketing materials, travel and volunteering expenses. Unfortunately we cannot fund academic qualifications or pay for applicants’ time or living expenses. 

11-15 year olds can apply for up to £500

16-21 year olds can apply for up to £5000 (average award size is around £2000). 

Award winners also receive the support of a Development Manager.

On this occasion, there is also the potential to support an existing project which has established itself but wishes to expand it activities/reach as long as it is not part of an established organisation. For more information on this, please contact me directly.

How do people apply?

Applicants need to fill in an enquiry form. This can be found at www.liveunltd.com

As many of you may know, Bausch + Lomb recently closed their operation in Livingston.  Their staff raised £4,000 through buying computers and other equipment from the company now that they have ceased trading in West Lothian.

The staff asked us to distribute the cash to the Sector in any way we saw fit as long as it went to a good cause.  We intend to distribute this money to the Sector offering the funds in bundles of £300 so that we can spread the wealth across as many small organisations as possible.

If your organisation has an annual turnover of less than £20,000 and you are interested in applying for a £300 grant, please complete this small grant application form.  There is no closing date, this fund will close when the money has gone.

In its 30^th anniversary year the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) is delighted to announce the launch of its new Volunteering Development Grant  which offers a small grant of up to £10,000 to charities that want to improve and develop their capacity to involve volunteers.

Established in 1982 to develop volunteering opportunities across Scotland VAF continues to support local charities to involve volunteers in their work.  Effective volunteering can be a really powerful tool for delivering vital services to Scottish communities but also bringing substantial benefits to the volunteers themselves and the organisations they work within.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the new grant is targeted at registered charities working within Scotland, who either: Do not currently involve volunteers to any significant extent but want to add value to their existing services or develop new ones that can involve volunteers, or Already involve volunteers but want improve and develop their capacity to deploy and support volunteers.

Registered charities are encouraged to apply before the deadline of 8 June 2012.

If there is a charity operating in your community that you think could benefit from this injection of funds and support, please encourage them to download an application form and guidance notes from http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/5/grants/.

Thanks to our generous benefactors we have been awarded funding for adults and children with disabilities, carers and young carers from Scotland, Scottish Borders and West of Scotland to have a holiday with us during 2012.  Have a look at the Bursary poster for more information.

Young Start aims to create opportunities for children and young people aged between 8 and 24 to help realise their potential. All children and young people, and the communities they live in, have something to offer which we want to tap into, build and develop. We recognise that some children and young people face barriers to achieving their full potential and we want Young Start to help overcome these. Check out this link for more information