Siblings Charity Funding Boost

A Fife charity that reunites separated brothers and sisters is getting a funding boost.

Sibling Therapeutic Assessment Retreat, or STAR, near Cupar is receiving £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

It'll go towards keeping its venue which provides a safe and fun environment for siblings to meet on a regular basis.

Karen Morrison, Founder and Chair of Sibling Therapeutic Assessment Retreat, said: “The Communities and Families funding will help make it possible for our organisation to continue providing the opportunity for regular and quality contact for brothers and sisters separated in the care system, kinship care or through adoption.

“STAR will continue to help foster strong bonds between each sibling group so they can create a strong family identity and lasting friendship to support each other through adulthood, the impact is immediate but the long term benefits have the potential to be life changing. With the help of Communities and Families STAR is creating positive childhood memories for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

 Announcing today’s funding, Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee, said:  “I’m delighted to announce the latest awards for the Communities and Families Fund.  The STAR project is a wonderful example of how our funding can help families build strong bonds to last a lifetime. There are around 16,000 children in care in Scotland and if this project can help to reunite some with their siblings, then it will have made a huge difference.”

Fiona McLeod, Acting Minister for Children and Young People, said: “This latest announcement of organisations benefitting from the Communities and Families Fund shows the real difference this funding can make for groups working in communities across Scotland. I am thrilled organisations such as STAR can continue to do the wonderful work they do in bringing together siblings with this extra support.”

 Other groups receiving funding today include Ormiston Grows Ltd in East Lothian which receives £9,952 to help teach young parents and their children how to grow their own produce, and the Ochil Community Hall Management Committee in Stirling which will start a play café for parents and children in Stirling thanks to a grant of £8,500.

 The Communities and Families Fund has a budget of £4.5 million from The Scottish Government and £1.5 million from the Big Lottery Fund. Groups can apply for funding from £250 to £10,000.