A CLYDEBANK group that seeks to create meaningful opportunities for adults with additional support needs (ASN) say they plan to expand into the Greater Glasgow area after being given £124,000 from a lottery grant.
Social enterprise Crafting Together was awarded a £124,107 Improving Lives grant by the National Lottery Community Fund for the project Crafting Futures Together.
The money – to be paid over the next three years – will be used to create employment opportunities through craft for people living with ASN needs.
The initiative will be delivered at the Crafting Together studio at the Titan Enterprise at Queens Quay and co-ordinator Elaine McIlree admits this shock award could prove a game-changer for the group.
She told the Clydebank Post: “This funding ensures that we can carry on working with our fantastic, creative, talented and hard-working artists and makers.
“It gives us time to work towards our goal of creating paid, part-time, supported employment in our local community.’’
Jewellery maker Caitlyn McCracken added: ‘’I’m very happy that the lottery gave us three more years, that we can keep going.’’
Crafting Together emerged in 2018 as a direct response to the lack of post-school employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Their roots can be found in Kilpatrick (ASN) School in Clydebank after four teachers and two of their supportive friends registered the social enterprise intending to showcase the creative strengths and employability skills of young adults with ASN.
Crafting Together started with six former pupils of Kilpatrick School attending one workshop a week.
They now run art, sewing and jewellery-making classes before selling the products made to retail stockists and online at https://craftingtogether.scot/collections/all.
Kate Sill, chair of the National Lottery Community Fund explained the mammoth award was well-deserved.
She said: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country.
“This project delivered by Crafting Together CIC, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved not only during the festive season, but all year round, when people come together for a common cause or to help others.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work which is making a real difference to so many.”
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