Members of a Clydebank-based group for young adults with additional support needs are delighted to have been awarded vital funding of more than £85,000.

Crafting Together CIC is one of 20 projects around the country sharing a massive £1,462,629 from the the National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start awards.

The group, launched in 2017 by staff from Kilpatrick School, has been awarded a total of £85,350.

The 11 current members are former students of the Dalmuir school, though membership is not limited to Kilpatrick pupils.

The group will use their new funding to develop the work it does with young adults with learning difficulties across West Dunbartonshire.

After the lockdown restrictions are lifted, young adults will be coming together in a supportive and engaging environment, developing skills in designing and making jewellery and other crafts.

Items made will then be sold on the Crafting Together online shop, at local craft fairs, and at stockists across west central Scotland.

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Ryan McQuarrie, who attends the group, told the Post: “I’m glad we got the grant. It’s great we can keep going.”

Ryan’s mum, Karen McQuarrie, said: “Crafting Together is such an amazing workshop giving an essential service for Ryan, teaching him valuable skills, giving him good socialising time with friends, business skills and much more.

“It has been amazing being part of it all from the beginning, especially in the challenging times we are all facing right now.

“The group has been in close contact through a group chat and are sharing their crafting skills in order for members to make jewellery from kits sent out.’’

Louise Kane, who also attends, added: “The group has been a brand new experience for me. Crafting Together is one of the most amazing adventures of my life.”

The new funding will allow the project to work with a total of 20 young adults from West Dunbartonshire and neighbouring Argyll and Bute over the next three years.

Linda Murray, volunteer and director of Crafting Together, said: “We would like to express our deepest thanks to the Lottery Community Fund.

“This grant will make a huge difference to the lives of our young adults.

“It will create opportunities for their qualities and skills to shine.’’

Neil Ritch, director of the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, added: “All of these youth-led projects, whether they are responding to the Covid-19 crisis now or planning to deliver their activities when young people can physically come back together, will empower young people to make their voices heard and achieve their full potential.”

Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times should visit tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start or contact 0141 846 0447.