The Scottish Episcopal Church is launching a fund which will help to target child poverty in Scotland.

Grants of up to £5,000 will be awarded for a pilot period of one year for congregational programmes specifically focussed on the alleviation of the effects of child poverty.

The initiative follows discussion on child poverty at General Synod 2018. The church recognises that child poverty is a wide-ranging and complex issue and encourages its congregations to work with other partners whether ecumenically, with other faiths or with secular groups/agencies.

The Right Rev Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane and member of the Mission Board, said: “I am delighted to be announcing the launch of this Fund. This is an important way for the Scottish Episcopal Church to put faith into action. Churches are in a good position to know the needs of their communities.

“Either working with the range of talent that members of a congregation have or through partnership working with others, we can invite people to live Jesus’ promise, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness’ [John 10:10].”

The Fund will be managed through the Church in Society Committee of the SEC, on behalf of the Mission Board.

The Acting Convener of the Church in Society Committee, Rev Elaine Garman, said of the Fund: “We are encouraging a diversity of initiatives to seek funding. We wish to aid those who are in need, enabling them to access resources and opportunities, and empowering them to use their skills and gifts.”

The criteria for selection are:

• Identification of a real need in the community
• Probable impact of the programme directly improving the circumstances of children and families, and/or indirectly through education and campaigning
• Probability of the proposers being able to deliver the work envisaged
• Development of community links, fostering engagement with the broader community
• Must be led by an SEC congregation or diocese
• Partnerships with other churches and/or community groups are encouraged

Application forms for the Child Poverty Fund are available from the Scottish Episcopal Church website or from General Synod Office. Guidelines for organisations interested in applying to the fund can be found here on the SEC website.

For further information contact Miriam Weibye, Church Relations Officer, at churchrelations@scotland.anglican.org or 0131 225 6357

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