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£475,000 FUNDING BOOST FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Two projects in Dundee which will help different community groups in the city find new and improved premises have been given a boost today by Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm.

Dundee Drug and Aids Project (DDAP) is preparing for a big move following an award of £300,000 from the Futurebuilders Scotland fund managed by Communities Scotland.

The project runs a counselling service for people at risk of drug and alcohol misuse. It also operates an employment service helping former substance abusers back in to work.

The project has grown too big for its current premises in Bell Street and the money from the Futurebuilders Scotland programme will go towards the cost of moving to the Old Baptist Church in Rattray Street.

Once renovated the church, which will become known as The Cairn Centre, will provide a purpose-built health and employment centre for those who attend.

The project has just won a £1.2 million five-year contract for its services which will be provided from the new centre.

Dundee could soon also boast a new multi-ethnic centre following a major Futurebuilders Scotland award for Bharatiya Ashram in the city.

Bharatiya Ashram, which works with all communities across the city but more specifically black and minority ethnic groups, is in line for a financial boost totalling £175,000.

The money is the first piece of a £900,000 financial package which will allow the organisation to move out of three separate buildings and into new premises in the city’s St Mary Place.

This means that the group will be able to expand its current services and create a one-stop centre for Dundonians from all ethnic backgrounds.

Work is due to start on the centre later this month and it is expected to be open for business by April 2007.

Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, said:

“I am delighted to be able to announce this funding for these key projects.

“The Executive is committed to supporting groups which help communities to live and work together and support vulnerable people.

“Communities Scotland’s Futurebuilders Scotland programme is helping organisations become more businesslike and effective to be able to deliver better services to the people they work with and for.

“The Cairn Centre will help the Dundee Drug and Aids Project with its work to help vulnerable people in the city and provide them with valuable support and advice. It has already allowed the project to win a major contract for its services.

“The new funding will help Bharatiya Ashram’s long-term development by establishing the multi-ethnic centre and ensuring the organisation continues to provide facilities for the benefit of all of Dundee’s communities.”

Mike Burns, director of the Dundee Drug and Aids Project, added:

“DDAP has worked with people who are affected by substance misuse for over 20 years. The Futurebuilders Scotland funding will allow us to create improved access to services through The Cairn Centre and new services which will provide much-needed employment rehabilitation services to our client group.

“The Futurebuilders Scotland funding will create a multi-disciplinary centre which will be the first of its kind here in Dundee, a venue where all services can come together to support some of the most disadvantaged in our community.”

Jyoti Hazra, of Bharatiya Ashram, added:

“We are in the process of redeveloping the Dudhope Centre in St Mary Place into a multi-ethnic centre. We are very grateful to Dundee City Council who have provided us with a

25-year lease on the building.

“We are also grateful to Communities Scotland for this substantial award which will go a long way to ensuring that this worthwhile project gets up and running as soon as possible.”

“We are currently working with various public bodies, trusts and foundations to secure the remaining funding required.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

1. The Futurebuilders Scotland is a programme with an £18 million fund managed by Communities Scotland. It is designed to help voluntary and community organisations create more jobs, offer better training opportunities and deliver good services in order to help them become self-sufficient enterprise earning their own income.

Communities Scotland was abolished on 1 April 2008. This is an archived site and the contents may no longer be accurate. If you are looking for information about housing and regeneration, please visit www.scotland.gov.uk For information about regulation and inspection, please visit www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.