Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) has been awarded funding from The Scottish Government as part of a Cash First Fund.

The aim of the scheme is to reduce the need for emergency food parcels and food banks through providing cash support to families struggling on low incomes.

The Cash First scheme will be delivered across Scotland by: Aberdeen Voluntary Action (TSI), Aberdeenshire Council, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Fife Council, Glasgow Centre for Population Health, North Lanarkshire Council, Voluntary Action Orkney (TSI), and West Dunbartonshire Council.

There were also 9 funding awards for the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund.  It is aimed at ways to reduce child poverty by redesigning services. The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund will be delivered in Aberdeen City, Argyll & Bute, Edinburgh, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, Perth & Kinross, and South Lanarkshire.

Commenting on the awards, Social Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“These two funds exemplify the innovative approach the Scottish Government is taking to tackling poverty and delivering for the people of Scotland.

“The Midlothian partnership will give local families the opportunity to get involved in and influence local services. It will aim to identify improvements which will ensure help on offer is joined-up and people are supported in a dignified way to reduce stigma.

“Other projects will help to accelerate progress in tackling poverty, including by making it easier for people to access cash in a crisis and by connecting people with advice to prevent future hardship.

“We are investing £3 billion this financial year to tackle poverty and protect people from the cost of living crisis. We are taking all the action we can to support people within our limited powers and fixed budget.”