The Star Project – which works to build resilience and supportive communities amidst the on-going cost-of-living crisis – has been awarded £327,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund
Sharon McAulay, chief executive of Star Project(Image: Andrew Neil)
The future of a lifeline Paisley charity has been secured thanks to a bumper £330k funding boost.
The Star Project – which works to build resilience and supportive communities amidst the on-going cost-of-living crisis – has been awarded £327,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF).
The money will be used to help cover the running costs of the Wallace Street charity over the next five years as it continues to support hundreds of local families.
Sharon McAulay, chief executive of Star Project, said; “We are absolutely delighted that TNLCF Scotland have chosen to continue supporting our work over the next five years.
“Their Fairer Life Chances award is towards our running costs, salaries and utilities, which have all increased due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“Core funding, such as this, is vital for us to continue being responsive to the needs of our community. We can’t thank them enough for helping us to make a difference to the lives of thousands of people every year.”
The award comes just months after Star Project celebrated its 25th birthday with a series of events including an amazing fundraiser in partnership with global superstar, and local legend, Paolo Nutini.
It was initially set up in Shortroods in 1999 in a bid to address the impacts, and the associated stigma, of poverty and deprivation.
It has grown exponentially and now delivers successful group, individual and community activities and supports that build resilience through themes of wellbeing, connections and creativity.
In the past three years specifically Star has gone through a rapid period of growth, some planned, and some a legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis; both resulting in unprecedented demand on their services.
During this time staff worked with a total of 26,398 individuals in more than 300 different ways.
Kate Still, Scotland chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “At the National Lottery Community Fund we are so proud to be able to support groups like the Star Project to make a real and lasting difference and help address the challenges their communities face.
“It’s all made possible by National Lottery players and we’re excited to see the outcomes of this project in Paisley over the months ahead.”
The funding award comes as Star Project continues to make progress with its capital project. This has seen the charity take on the lease for its neighbouring property in a move that will increase floor space by 100 per cent. A winter garden between the two properties will also create a community growing and uplifting outdoor space.
The increased space is becoming more valuable to The Star Project as it seeks to be able assist every person who walks through its doors.
Its community fridge, which offers emergency food supplies to people in financial crisis, is already located in the new building, while additional rooms will provide space for its plethora of workshops and community groups.
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