Scottish Business in the Community says players in the People’s Postcode Lottery have enabled the funding of key projects to help disadvantaged young people across the UK.

A lottery grant of £525,000 has supported the ‘Ready for Work’ programme run by SBC and its UK counterpart Business in the Community, helping 650 young people across 20 locations and aimed at those furthest from the job market and affected by homelessness and other issues.

Participants are offered in-depth training and supported work placements to enable them to find a route into paid, sustainable employment. As a direct result of the funding, 99 young people started the programme in 2015, with 23 already finding paid work.

In South West Scotland, the funds allowed the Prince’s Charities to support several sporting initiatives for disadvantaged young people in the New Cumnock area. A trust provided weekly free transport to indoor training facilities for youth clubs, and the New Cumnock swimming pool was opened benefitting 6,000 local people.

Funds raised have significantly enhanced the ‘Mosaic’ mentoring programme. in primary and secondary schools, and also supported the Prince’s Trust in running UK courses helping young people get work in specific sectors. The ‘Get Into’ programme offers training, work experience and skill development in construction, hospitality, ground-handling and social care.

Jane Wood, chief executive of Scottish Business in the Community, commented: “The Prince’s Charities involved in this work have been able to positively impact the lives of so many through innovative and collaborative projects and Scottish Business in the Community has been particularly thrilled to be involved in this important work.”