We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded £319,228 from the Big Lottery Fund to run Dates-n-Mates Aberdeen for the next 5 years from 2016 – 2021.
This will build on the success of the one year pilot project funded and supported by Aberdeen City Council over the last year.
Since the launch event of the project in June 2015 we have run over 20 events including Speed Meets, Sports Activities, Creative Arts Sessions, Theatre Trips and some members even attended the T in the Park music festival. All of these events were run and organised by members with the support of the team. Now thanks to the Big Lottery funding we can continue to provide opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to make friends and develop meaningful relationships in Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire.
One of our members Joan Smith told us: “I am really glad dates-n-mates Aberdeen has got funding from the Lottery, it will mean we can plan ahead more. I have met lots of new people and got to know them through the events. I look forward to meeting up together and we always have a laugh. dates-n-mates has given me the confidence to try new things, I even tried trampolining!”
dates-n-mates Aberdeen follows in the footsteps of dates-n-mates Glasgow which has been helping people find love and friendship for over eight years.
dates-n-mates is a project of C-Change Scotland. C-Change Scotland CEO Sam Smith, said: “Relationships and friendships are key to a good and happy life. dates-n-mates members in the Greater Glasgow area tell us that the relationships they have formed through the project have made a positive and lasting difference to their lives. The pilot project, funded by Aberdeen City Council, highlighted a similar level of need. C-Change Scotland is delighted that the Big Lottery has recognised the positive potential of this project by awarding funding to support the development of dates-n-mates Aberdeen for the next five years.”
Announcing today’s funding, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “I am delighted that dates-n-mates Aberdeen will be able to expand and develop their activities thanks to this funding. We know, having funded its sister service in Glasgow, just how important projects like this are, allowing people to meet other like-minded people in a safe and relaxed environment. Whether it’s finding love or developing and sustaining long term friendships, the service will make a huge difference to the lives of many people, along the way increasing their confidence and self esteem and giving them greater independence to enjoy new activities.”
Please click here to view article via BBC Scotland Website
Please click here to view article via Aberdeen Press & Journal
Please click here to read article via The Big Lottery BloD
