Across Scotland, millions of pounds have been awarded from Bags of Help to inspiring projects that have involved thousands of children and young people.  Projects have taken place outdoors, in schools, in cities, in the countryside and on water, giving children and young people a huge range of opportunities, activities and support across the country.

Bags of Help funds projects that provide access to new experiences and skills, often for those vulnerable young people who would not otherwise be able to take part in these activities.  Out and About Elgin Youth Development Group  worked with young people in the local Youth Café who don’t easily access holiday activities because of learning and physical disability, chronic illness, mental health, challenging behaviour or two working parents. The young people designed and costed their summer activity programme in the Youth Café and applied to Bags of Help.

"Trips away with young people can lay strong foundations for relationships with the youth café and the youth workers. The relationships we’ve built over the summer will be a first step for longer term engagement allowing us to provide them with consistent support in the future."

- Ailish, Youth Worker

Another seasonal youth project supported by Bags of Help was Pinkston Watersport's Go Kayaking in north Glasgow. A series of week long introductory watersports sessions over seasonal periods in an area of Glasgow where many young people never get the opportunity to try out watersports. The sessions were free and groups of young people from local youth groups and housing associations got the chance to try out kayaking, white water rafting and canoeing.

Bags of Help also support projects that:

• Provide services that meet social, emotional and behaviour needs. Checkin Works in Perth helps to improve employment chances for vulnerable young people facing challenges with mental ill health, learning disabilities and autism and offers a range of work opportunities, employability sessions and job clubs.
• Support education and outdoor learning. Glen Strathfarrer Shieling Project gives young people a flavour of what shieling life was like and emphasises that Highland culture and heritage can be used to develop life skills today
• Provide weekly activities like sports, brownies, guides, scouts, Duke of Edinburgh, music and theatre. Beasties, Bugs and Bairns offers regular sessions that get children out into local Wild Places, investigating wildlife, getting up close to the creatures that live in nature.

Apply Now

Awards of £500 - £2,000 are available to projects that bring benefit to your local community by applying online to bring benefit to your local community.

greenspace scotland works in Scotland to support applicants and successful projects. Find out more here