Tullochan Trust celebrates £4million windfall

Nov 28 2008 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

A CHARITY which has transformed the lives of hundreds of West Dunbartonshire youngsters is celebrating a massive £4 MILLION windfall.

The Tullochan Trust – established in 1996 with just £1000 – secured the money through the new funding initiative, Inspiring Scotland.

The Dumbarton-based organisation is one of the first to receive cash aid under the scheme developed by Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.

The money – invested over a period of 10 years – will help develop programmes for 14 to 19-year-olds who struggle to make a successful transition into adulthood.

Fiona Stuart, who set up the trust in memory of her father, Brigadier Alastair Pearson, described the money as the culmination of its work to inspire young people to fulfil their potential.

She said: “This is a tremendous fillip for all the work that is done, the quality of our staff and the results our young people produce.

“It is recognition of the appreciation of the work we do, and the lives that we influence and encourage to have more positive attitudes and to discover their innate abilities.”

News of the multi-million investment was announced on Thursday – the same week the trust learned it had received £210,407 from the Lottery.

It is one of just 24 organisations from more than 200 to pass the rigorous Inspiring Scotland grant application process.

Judges praised the trust’s 10-year development plan – key to securing the money – as strong, achievable and realistic, and with the potential for “high social impact”.

Inspiring Scotland was developed by Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and is led by entrepreneur Andrew Muirhead. It is a partnership between a range of investors including individuals, government, trusts and foundations, businesses and charities, all driven by a desire for social change. It uses the venture philanthropy model which applies venture capital principles to the voluntary sector.

Fiona said: “The main principal is that for the first time a fund has been identified that will commit to a charity for 10 years, ensuring the money will be there. But it’s not just about the £4 million. We will also be able to benefit from the advice of venture philanthropists working alongside us. We received invaluable help from Inspiring Scotland throughout this process.

“One of the main reasons we are so successful is because of our partnership working with Careers Scotland, Clydebank College, West Dunbartonshire Council and local schools. We are delighted to continue to work with them.”

The trust’s Trudy Johnson said the funding meant it could continue to provide a range of programmes tailored to suit individuals, and to identify young people who will benefit.

“This will enable us to be constantly innovative and react quickly to opportunities,” she said. “If you don’t keep things fresh then you don’t keep young people involved.”

Since its inception, the trust has secured more than £2.5 million funding. It offers a wide range of activities to hundreds of vulnerable eight to 18-year-olds every year.

Projects, which include sport, arts and crafts, music and drama, outdoor education and workshops, are designed to tackle personal development, healthy living and employability.

The money from the Big Lottery will be used to work with 60 second year pupils every year for three years, who are at risk of leaving school without a job or training place.

It will provide one to one support, career workshops, after school opportunities, a youth forum and a college taster programme.