FUNDING BOOST TO HELP UNITED TACKLE WEEKEND FOOD INSECURITY AND OTHER LOCAL ISSUES

Dundee United Community Trust is delighted to announce that a brand new “Saturday Club” project will be starting later this month to provide additional support to local primary school children through provision of a hot meal over the weekend as well as some free sport and physical activity at Gussie Park. 

The pilot project starts on Saturday 30th January with participants being referred in from local agencies and will run initially until the summer, funded by Foundation Scotland (PF Charitable Trust and Dickson Trust Fund) and SCVO (The Communities Recovery Fund). 

Child poverty is a key issue in our community, with over one in three children in the City living in the 20% most deprived areas. The Coldside Ward, where we are based and where referrals will focus on for this new project, has one of the highest rates of child poverty in Dundee according to a recent Dundee City Council Briefing Note regarding the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.  The challenge to provide support to those in most need is becoming more difficult as five of the eight wards in Dundee now have a higher percentage of children living in the 20% more deprived areas than in 2016. 

The Saturday Club will take place on a Saturday evening between 4pm and 6pm at Gussie Park on a referral-only basis.  The children taking part will benefit from a free hot meal and will get to take part in free physical activity and sport with their friends – old and new.  The sessions will comply with all Government guidelines in relation to Coronavirus.

Jamie Kirk, Chief Executive for the Trust commented on the new project, “Firstly, I’m really grateful for the support provided by Foundation Scotland and from the Communities Recovery Fund.  This support allows us to continue to adapt to serve the needs of the local community in an ever-changing landscape.  Even before the pandemic, child poverty was a significant challenge not only locally but also nationally.  The importance of free school meals to local families highlights the need for provision over the weekend and we’re sure this new piece of work will be well received." 

The "Saturday Club" is only the first piece of the jigsaw following this funding boost, with the Trust now working even more closely with local partner agencies to identify where we can help further.  Look out for future updates in the coming weeks, and for more information email enquiries@dundeeunitedct.co.uk.