- ScottishPower Foundation to donate additional £30,000 to organisations across the UK
Fourteen charities are competing for prize funds of up to £5,000 as part of this year’s ScottishPower Foundation Awards, which celebrate benevolent work in local communities throughout the UK.
Among the shortlist are projects working in education, sustainability and community engagement including the National Theatre of Scotland, Size of Wales, and the Acorns Project in North Tyneside.
From educational programmes to help for disadvantaged communities, the Awards champion great work that charities have supported throughout the year.
The awards are open to recipients of this year’s ScottishPower Foundation funding, which saw £1.2m awarded to 21 charities delivering projects across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The annual awards, which are now in their seventh year, are an opportunity for projects to apply for additional funding, with each category winner receiving £5,000 and the runners up awarded £2,500.
Due to social distancing restrictions, the winners will be announced on ScottishPower’s Twitter channel – @ScottishPower – over the course of Awards Day on 1st December.
Nominated projects are judged in four categories: the Innovation Award, the Education Award and the Community Engagement Award, as well as the Charity Champion Award, which gives special recognition to the outstanding contribution made by an exceptional employee or volunteer who exemplifies what their organisation stands for.
This year’s judging panel is made up of a host of experts from ScottishPower, the third sector, education and communications including Arthur McIvor, Senior Client Manager for Energy & Utility Skills; Juliet Simpson, Founder and CEO of Stripe Communications; Sheila Duncan, Human Resources Director for ScottishPower; and Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee of the ScottishPower Foundation.
Melanie said: “2020 has undoubtedly been an incredibly challenging period for many of the organisations that we work with. However – in the face of adversity – each and every charity on our awards shortlist has continued to support, educate and inspire those who rely on them, using the Foundation funding to make a real difference. We’re very proud to build on this and further recognise their achievements through the ScottishPower Foundation Awards.
“All of these remarkable organisations are fantastic examples of the amazing charitable work that goes on across the country every day, with people devoting themselves to others, pushing the boundaries for change and transforming lives in the process. I wish everyone on the shortlist the very best of luck for Awards Day and encourage everyone to follow our Twitter channel where we will be announcing the winners on 1st December.”
The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 to make a significant and lasting contribution to society, enhancing the lives of people living in communities throughout the UK. It provides funding to help support the advancement of education, environmental protection, arts and culture and citizenship. It also supports charities who aim to provide relief from poverty, disability, or other disadvantages.
The charities shortlisted in the 2020 awards are (in alphabetical order):
Acorns Project
Based in North Tyneside and Northumberland, the Acorns Project offers a range of services to support families affected by domestic abuse such as counselling, first response and adult support services.
Bangor University (Reaching Wider North and Mid Wales Partnership)
Bangor University (Reaching Wider North and Mid Wales Partnership) works alongside primary and secondary school pupils as well as adults with no formal qualifications to increase higher education participation among lower socio-economic groups.
Bendrigg Trust
Bendrigg Trust is a residential activity centre in Cumbria specialising in high quality courses for people with physical and learning disabilities or the disadvantaged.
Changing Faces
Changing Faces is the UK’s leading charity for everyone with a scar, mark or condition on their face or body that makes them look different. It provides advice, support and psychosocial services to children, young people and adults, challenging discrimination and campaigning for Face Equality.
Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth is a popular visitor attraction in Edinburgh that tells the story of the planet Earth through interactive displays and installations.
IMO Charity
Inspire Motivate Overcome is a community third sector organisation based in Blackburn. Founded in 2006, its mission is to help local young people and their families to combat disadvantages and overcome the challenges they may face.
National Theatre of Scotland (NTS)
As Scotland’s national theatre organisation, NTS showcases the best of the country’s talent to audiences at home and abroad, aiming to break down the economic, physical, or cultural barriers that prevent people from engaging with the arts.
Size of Wales
Size of Wales is a climate change charity with the aim of conserving an area of tropical rainforest twice the size of Wales. The organisation encourages the people of Wales to help tackle climate change by taking simple positive action, working with schools and businesses to raise funds for forests and raising awareness of the importance of forests in tackling climate change.
South Tyneside Churches KEY Project
South Tyneside Churches KEY Project works with young people and their families to help develop the skills they need to live independently, become good citizens, and reach their full potential.
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland seeks to increase public awareness and understanding of individuals with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and allied conditions. It aims to support all those affected to identify their needs and to empower them to make informed choices and decisions.
Starcatchers Productions Ltd
Starcatchers is Scotland’s National Arts and Early Years organisation specialising in creating performances and exploring creative activity for babies, toddlers and young children aged 0-5 and the adults who care for them.
The Literacy Pirates
The Literacy Pirates works with children aged 9-12 where teachers have identified a child as needing additional support in their learning. The learning programme is devised by teachers and aims to support children in their developmental skills as well as reading, writing and numeracy.
The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland
Sporting Memories Foundation tackles dementia, depression, and loneliness through the power of sports reminiscence by bringing together older adults, as well as providing social and physical activities.
Whizz-Kidz
Whizz-Kids aims to transform the lives of disabled children across the UK, supporting them to become confident and independent young adults by providing the equipment, support, and life skills they need in order to develop their full potential.