Youth charities in Scotland receive £2m funding boost

Funding has been awarded to 22 Scottish organisations that support children and young people to reach their full potential through the funding programme Young Start, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund. It awards funds from dormant bank accounts to projects that will make a lasting positive impact on the lives of the young people that they support. 

Charities such as Hydra Arts based in West Dunbartonshire will use their £82,404 share to run an exciting new 2.5-year project, which has been designed with a group of 10 young performers aged 13 to 25 in the local area. The project is centred around a creative collaboration with a group of young people in Toronto, Canada. The groups will work together to create a live public performance, performed simultaneously at the end of the project.

"We are thrilled to be able to expand our practice into an international context, allowing the young people we work with the opportunities to collaborate with other young people from different countries and cultures. This is super exciting for all involved, and we are really looking forward to that journey of expanding our horizons and connecting with other young people in a bigger international community," commented Peter McMaster, Hydra Arts Artistic Director.

When asked what Hydra Arts means to her, Molly, 15, said: “Hydra Arts has made me more confident. It's less embarrassing to do things out of your comfort zone when you’re doing it with other people. I've made some new friends outside of my school who like similar things to me.”

Another organisation that will benefit from the latest round of Young Start funding is, Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) Limited who will use their £100,000 share to develop their CPK Youth Collective 2026-28 project. It aims to support young people, aged 16 to 25, to empower participants from rural areas to gain new skills and make connections with the wider community, through the design and development of events and exhibitions in cultural heritage venues, such as Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery. 

Sharing how the CPK Youth Collective has helped her and what she hopes for the incoming cohort of young people, Megan, 19 from Perth, said: “I’ve gained more confidence in myself. I’m able to speak freely about my thoughts and creative ideas without being judged. It’s created a safe space, and I hope that people who join the Collective in the future have that same safe place, where they can use their creative freedom without being judged or put down. I think that’s really helpful for building confidence, feeling included and understood. It’s about making sure people feel seen and able to express themselves freely.”

The group will work directly with 30 young people from rural areas in Perth and Kinross over 3 years and reach at least 2000 young people through public-facing activities and online content.

Kirsty Brown, CPK Youth Collective Learning Manager explained how the funding will help enhance the youth projects and services they offer to the Perth and Kinross community: “Over the past 3 years the Culture Perth and Kinross Youth Collective have made a huge impact on how our services and projects are delivered which has enabled us to raise the profile of the youth voice in the organisation. We are thrilled that due to the generous funding from the National Lottery Community Fund Young Start grant we can continue to deliver the Youth Collective for a further 3 years.”

One of the other groups, benefiting from the latest round of funding is Regen: FX Youth Trust who will use their funding (£99,571) to support their young people led community youth services in Springhall and Whitlawburn in South Lanarkshire, which will support 250 young people over the 2-year funding period. Services include after school clubs, volunteering opportunities in the local community, along with seasonal and public holiday events. 

Dylan Scott, Regen:FX Youth Board Member, said: “I’m proud to be part of securing the funding for the Springhall and Whitlawburn Youth Development Team Project because I know first-hand the difference it makes. Being involved has helped me grow in confidence and take on opportunities I never expected, from speaking to hundreds of people on stage to becoming a Youth Board Member. This funding means more young people will get the same support and it gives us the chance to keep developing the services young people actually need.”

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “We’re delighted to support these 22 youth projects through our latest Young Start funding.”

Groups such as Hydra Arts and Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) Limited provide key opportunities for children and young people in Scotland to build their skills, enhance their wellbeing, and explore and sustain meaningful engagements within their communities and those further afield, that will benefit them in the future.”

 

Notes to Editors: 
 
Under the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008, the Reclaim Fund releases funds from dormant bank accounts to The National Lottery Community Fund for distribution to good causes across the UK.
 
Dormant accounts are defined in the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008 as those which have seen no customer-initiated activity for at least 15 years. 

The Reclaim Fund Ltd (RLG), which was established in March 2011 to receive and invest dormant account balances across the UK, transferred the first tranche of monies from dormant bank and building society accounts to The National Lottery Community Fund on 2 August 2011. Scotland receives 8.4% of the total funds distributed. 
The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK – community is at the heart of our purpose, vision and name.    
 
We support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable and that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.   

We’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to work closely with Government to distribute vital grants and funding from key Government programmes and initiatives.    

Young Start Scotland Awards January 2026

Adoption UK Charity

City of Edinburgh
£99,235

This group seek continuation funding for the #E project, an award-winning service supporting care experienced adopted children and young people across Scotland. The 3-year project will engage and empower 178 young people through age-specific social activities, skills workshops and personal advocacy opportunities. This peer-support model will create a life-long support network for young people often facing health, educational and relationship challenges. The programme has already evidenced positive outcomes around improved social/emotional wellbeing, increased self-esteem and skills development particularly in relation to self-advocacy.

Lyra

City of Edinburgh
£99,331

This group will use funding to continue delivery of their Teens at Lyra programme, offering high-quality performing arts activities for young people aged 12 to 18 living in areas of deprivation. Through their 2 weekly groups, teenagers are supported to develop essential creative and life skills while improving their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. At least 50 young people per year will directly benefit over the 3-year delivery period.

Wasp Community Club

Clackmannanshire
£99,874

The group will use the funding to continue to deliver a peer-led youth club in the centre of Alloa aimed at local young people aged 12 to 17. The project will continue to promote peer and community connections along with a new element of employability skills via a young people led community café. The project will be delivered by 2 new Youth Workers and an existing Key Development Worker. Six-hundred young people will benefit, with 10 volunteers providing support over 2 years.

Dundee West Community Trust

Dundee City
£95,875

The group will use the funding to run sports and wellbeing session that provide upskilling and mentoring opportunities for young people. This will help young people who have left school to learn new skills and become coach leaders, leading sessions to their peers and other children and young people in the community. The project aims to provide qualifications for 25 young people and will involve around 75 volunteers with the extended activities reaching around 700 young people across 3 years.

Auchinleck Community Development Initiative

East Ayrshire
£49,225

This 1-year grant will fund the expansion of the group's youth club, which provides free and inclusive activities for children and young people, aged 8 to 16, from Auchinleck and surrounding towns and villages. The project provides opportunities in creative arts, sports, music and other recreational activities. Activities are centred around improving young peoples' wellbeing, social skills and life skills, as well as improving confidence and self-esteem. The project will benefit 120 young people over 1 year and involve 12 volunteers.

Lochlan's Legacy

East Ayrshire
£90,000

This award will support Lochlan's Legacy's Type 1 diabetes youth steering group, to design, develop and deliver awareness raising events and programmes to schools, community groups, third sector organisations and sports clubs over the course of 3 years. The project will provide opportunities in leadership, public speaking, content creation, peer-mentorship, budget planning and confidence building. At least 30 young people will volunteer within the steering group.

Twechar Community Action

East Dunbartonshire
£97,972

The organisation will use their funding over 3 years to provide a wide range of activities for local young people to participate in. Young people will plan sessions based on their interests and feedback from their peers, choose facilitators and guest partners, and identify gaps or changes needed as the project evolves.

Venture Trust

Fife
£99,983

This project will use funding over 2 years to deliver their transformational Outdoor Therapeutic Personal Development Programme, with young people across Scotland facing challenges, including poverty, trauma, addiction and unstable housing. The majority of those supported are, or at risk of becoming, involved in the justice system. Over 2 years Venturing Towards a Brighter Future will support 170 young people aged 13 to 25, along with 8 to 10 volunteers.

Baba Yangu Foundation (SCIO)

Glasgow City
£99,994

The group will use the funding to deliver a youth work programme for Black, Black British, Caribbean or African (African, Caribbean, any other Black, Black British or Caribbean background) girls aged 8 to 18 in Glasgow. Over the 3 years, the project will support around 100 girls and 30 volunteers.

Birds of Paradise Theatre Company

Glasgow City
£100,000

This group will use the funding to support young people with disabilities to develop their own creative practice, and build their skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations. The project will support 50 young people with disabilities over 2 years.

Community Renewal Trust

Glasgow City
£99,844

This group will use their share of the funding to continue to run and develop their Govanhill Young Roma Project for a further 2 years. Working with young people aged 11 to 25 from the Glasgow Roma community. Co-designed and led by an expanding cohort of young trainees, the community group will include a weekly youth group, creative workshops, skills development sessions (public speaking, teamwork, leadership, digital literacy), volunteering and leadership pathways, and targeted support for girls and young women; drawing upon priority themes identified by participants. The project will be based in Govanhill, and aims to reach 160 young people, and working with 8 volunteers over the 2 years.

Glasgow Watersports

Glasgow City
£91,745

This group will use the funding to grow and develop their youth volunteering programme at Pinkston Watersports Centre in Glasgow. The project will benefit 180 young people and 90 volunteers over 3 years.

Junction 12

Glasgow City
£93,607

This group will use the funding to continue delivering relationship-based youth work for children and young people aged 10 to 18 in the East End of Glasgow. The project will provide a safe, welcoming space through lunchtime and after-school drop-ins, skills-based sessions, youth clubs and mentoring. Activities such as cooking, crafts and active outings including kayaking, climbing and bowling will help young people build confidence, friendships and life skills. Around 480 young people and 51 volunteers will benefit over three years. The project aims to improve young people's mental and emotional wellbeing, strengthen social connections and increase confidence and resilience. Activities will be delivered from the J12 Base on Smithycroft Road and local community venues, including Shettleston New Church Hall, with close links to Smithycroft Secondary School and local primary schools. The 3-year grant will help the group maintain and expand its longstanding, trusted youth provision in one of Glasgow's most disadvantaged areas.

The Fostering Network

Glasgow City
£98,903

Guided by young voices, the Building Connection, Creating Change project will provide trauma‑informed support, and deliver a calendar of creative, physical, and peer‑led activities engaging over 500 children and young people across Scotland. Centring their Young People’s Advisory Board (YPAB) the project will also support policy change working closely with the Scottish Government, and establish an annual careers fair exclusively for care experienced young people.

YoMo Young Movers (SCIO)

Glasgow City
£97,500

This group will use their funding to provide weekly community workshop sessions across three locations In Glasgow (Easterhouse, Drumchapel, Southside), which are co-designed and co-led by children and young people ages 12 to 25. Sessions will be run with the support of experienced youth workers and will focus on topics such as mindfulness, creative arts, tools and strategies for mental health, and hands-on environment projects, which are expected to benefit 210 participants and involve 20 volunteers over 3 years.

Compass Collective

Highland
£87,717

This group will use the funding to support their programme for young refugees and asylum seekers. Combining the use of film making workshops alongside employability training and 1-to-1 pathway support, preparing project participants for the 'next steps' in their lives. They will work with young people aged 16 to 24, including those who are being phased out of support services and are not able to access education. Workshops will be delivered at The Place in Alness and An Lanntair in Stornoway. This 3-year project will engage 60 young people and 18 volunteers.

Moray School Bank

Moray
£99,813

This new 3-year project will continue, expand and develop Moray School Bank's youth volunteer programme for children and young people aged 10 to 25 in Moray. The project supports young people to gain awards and accreditation in relation to their volunteering, attend training, develop leadership skills and work and life skills associated with running a community project. The project is based in Elgin, is focused around their Hub and pre-loved shop, supporting community events across Moray. The project will engage 180 participants, including 144 volunteers aged 10 to 25.

VIP-Pass Community Project

North Lanarkshire
£100,000

This group will use the funding to deliver a 3-year programme of social, educational, creative, and wellbeing focused activities to young people from Viewpark and the surrounding areas. The project will work with 250 individuals and 10 volunteers over the programme period.

Culture Perth and Kinross Limited

Perth and Kinross
£100,000

This group will use funding to continue their successful Youth Collective initiative, working with a group of 10 young people aged 16 to 25 to design and develop exciting and inclusive programming in cultural heritage venues. The project will empower participants from rural areas to gain new skills and make connections with the wider community. The project will directly involve 30 young people over 3 years and reach at least 2000 young people through public-facing activities and online content.

Regen: FX Youth Trust

South Lanarkshire
£99,571

This group will use their funding to continue their work with young people from Springhall and Whitlawburn, in Cambuslang. This young person-led project will work with 250 young people, and provide 20 volunteering opportunities supported through weekly sessions four times a week, totalling 28 hours a week, over the 2-year funding period.

The Haven Caring Counselling Communication Centre

South Lanarkshire
£99,000

The group will use the funding to deliver support services for children and young people coping with bereavement or living with a family member with life limiting illness over 3 years. The project will provide 1-to-1 support sessions, activity-based peer support groups, and solution-focused support workshops. The project will also provide volunteer opportunities for young people within the Haven. Delivered across North and South Lanarkshire , the project will support approximately 150 children and young people, including 18 volunteers.

Hydra Arts

West Dunbartonshire
£82,404

This is a 2-5-year long project has been designed with a group of 10 young performers, aged 13 to 25 in West Dunbartonshire. Through slow, in-person and non-digital communication methods, they will work to build friendships and trusted connections in real life locally and international. Exchanging performance ideas (by post) with a group of young people in Canada who are on the same journey.