Applications open now for Shine Even Brighter 2

South Ayrshire's Champions Board, Champions for Change, are excited to launch their latest Onwards and Upwards Small Grants fund - Shine Even Brighter 2. This is the sixth time we are running this fund.

Shine Even Brighter 2 is an opportunity for Care Experienced Young people to apply for funding up to £500 to support their development in the local community. If you are aged 14 - 26 and have at least three months of care experience (which can include kinship care, foster care, secure care, residential care or being looked after at home) you can apply for the grant today.

Everyone deserves to feel connected, loved and to feel good about themselves. Shine Even Brighter 2 is here to help you make and realise your hopes and dreams! We hope this fund can be used to help you towards these goals. If that means applying for equipment for a new hobby, funding for a day out with people who matter to you or just a great new outfit that makes you happy.

Linda Semple, Chair of the South Ayrshire Integration Joint Board said, "We want to encourage all Care Experienced Young People to apply for this funding, it is such a great opportunity. If you were looking to purchase a bike to get out and about or a laptop for your studies, this money can really help bring costs down."

The Grant is made available as part of South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership's commitment to The Promise through their local South Ayrshire Parenting Promise. Applications will be open until Monday 26 February 2024 but if you get in touch with us after that date there will be other great support that we can connect you with. If you have applied for money with us before that is fine, we would love to see another application from you and hear how the last one went for you.

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care, Councillor Lee Lyons added, "Our dedicated Champions for Change team work extremely hard each year to allow us to coordinate these small grant opportunities. I want to thank them again for all their hard work. The feedback we have had from previous years has shown the real difference this funding can make to our care experienced young people. I strongly encourage anyone eligible for this fund to get in touch."