The FlightPath Fund awarded £2,400 to help a Clydebank-based sports hub deliver activity sessions for adults with complex needs.
Volunteers from Clydebank Community Sport Hub (CCSH) applied for support in order to fund ‘Music and Movement – Time To Connect’ sessions.
The physical activity sessions cater for a local group of adults with complex needs who couldn’t take part in community activities due to the pandemic.
The project was created following discussions between CCSH, Glasgow-based charity Share Scotland and a local parent who delivered a similar previous programme of activities between 2011 and 2016.
David McLean, who applied to the FlightPath Fund to help support the programme, said: “The sessions deliver much-needed support and fun for local people who have complex needs, physical disabilities and limited or no verbal communication. As a result of the pandemic, many will have had little or no access to any meaningful activity for three years, which will have significantly impacted their health and well-being.
“The sessions make a huge difference by alleviating isolation both of the individuals with complex needs, and their unpaid carers or family, while promoting equality and increasing their opportunities to engage in activity, build relationships and promote independence.
“We would not have been able to run this project without the support of the FlightPath Fund and we are very grateful for this award.”
Councillor June McKay, who sits on the FlightPath Fund on behalf of West Dunbartonshire, said: “We now know that the pandemic had a negative impact on our collective well-being in some form or another, but for many of our most vulnerable citizens it led to longer periods of isolation and this had a significant impact on their mental and physical health.
“Thanks to projects such as the sessions, those in our community who have complex needs are able to participate in activities that help nurture their well-being and help them re-engage and have fun.”
More than £130,000 has been made available by the FlightPath Fund in 2023 to support community groups, charities and sustainability-themed projects local to Glasgow Airport.
The Fund’s committee is continuing to urge neighbouring groups and organisations to submit applications for 2024 and is keen to support sustainability-themed projects aimed at improving the environment in the communities local to the airport.
The FlightPath Fund was established in 2010 to provide financial support to community groups and charities committed to improving the opportunities, facilities and services available to local people. Funding awards will continue to focus on three key areas:
- Employment - we recognise the importance of making sure the future workplace is equipped with the skills that society and industry demands and, by supporting specific projects, we aim to help young people in the community reach their full potential. Awards will be given to exciting local projects that can break down barriers to employment through skills development.
- Environment - to underpin our commitment to making a positive contribution to the environment, the FlightPath Fund supports projects with a focus on protecting and enhancing our natural environment.
- Education - the FlightPath Fund supports social and educational projects which are designed to bring positive benefits and to change the lives of people in the communities we serve.
The FlightPath Fund’s committee, which includes elected representatives from each of the four local authority areas, meets regularly throughout the year to consider all applications made and to allocate any agreed financial support.
To find out more about applying for funding support, visit: www.glasgowairport.com/community and download the application form and our funding guidelines.