Bridging the Gap Case Study
Midlothian - The Bill Russell Woodburn Youth Project
CRT Funding: £6,672 Total Project Costs: £6.672
Named after the late councillor for Woodburn, Midlothian, this charitable organisation was formed in 2007 to provide a focal point for local people with an interest in the community and its young people.
As part of a Youth Work Alliance the project identified a lack of facilities for local young people. It responded by setting up a weekly drop-in scheme for 11 to18 year olds, offering a safe free environment for socialising and activities. The aim of the project was to offer an attractive alternative to antisocial behaviour in an area with little or no provision for youth entertainment. As well as the opportunity to develop social skills and confidence through sessional worker-led activities, the project also offered TV games, computer access, pool and other games, and an informal neutral venue to meet local community beat officers.
By paying for two sessional youth workers and funding a course in video production, a CRT award made in July 2008 has allowed the drop-in centre to expand its hours and develop its offering both to members and the wider community.
East Ayrshire - Barony A Frame Trust 
CRT Funding: £10,000 - Total Project Costs: £10,000
An East Ayrshire organisation, the Trust was formed in 2003 with the charitable objectives of developing and maintaining a mining heritage site based on the former Barony workings.
After an extensive restoration of the A frame as the centrepiece of a heritage and educational facility, a pilot was instigated to involve local people in staffing the project by providing them with training in various appropriate subjects.
CRT were able to fund the pilot’s development into a scheme to provide formal training for six people to gain skills in IT, group work, health and safety, working with the public and returning to work; as well as covering the costs of community events, venue hire and general office expenses.
Fife - Methilhill
CRT Funding: £10,000 - Total Project Costs: £10,095
The Methilhill British Legion Women’s Section is a charitable organisation formed in the 1950s to promote the welfare of ex servicemen and their dependants, and to provide assistance in finding employment, training and education. The current membership of around thirty continue to fundraise from their hall in Fife, for servicemen and their families active in past and present military campaigns.
The hall also offers a valuable community facility, providing a venue for local groups’ social and leisure activities, and a home for clubs such as weight watchers, keep fit and baton twirling. The kitchen and toilet facilities at the hall are in need of renovation to meet the needs of the current users, and upgrading to allow access for the disabled. A CRT grant awarded in December 2008 will enable the facilities to be fully upgraded to the necessary standard and enable the group to offer use of the hall to a much wider client group
Fife - Living Solutions 
CRT Funding £10,000 - Total Project Cost £15,300
Living Solutions is a small social enterprise in Fife which provides woodland and horticultural training to young unemployed trainees. Previously funded by CRT as a start up, the organisation has gone from strength to strength with a steady demand for trainee placements from various agencies.
The project provided chainsaw training which enables trainees to then go into full-time employment in a range of environmental areas, and many trainees have successfully gone on to employment or further training at local colleges.
In 2008 the project applied to CRT for a Bridging the Gap grant towards the purchase of a specialised all-terrain vehicle, which would enable better site access to woodland and forest areas. Having this vehicle has enabled the project to secure more contracted work and generate a sustainable income.
Les Keyte, the Woodlands Manager said “The project wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support of CRT. This vehicle has been vital to the ongoing success of the project and has made a huge difference to the training opportunities we can offer”.
The project has also been “branching out” and is now looking at recycling some of its timber to make garden furniture and wooden toys. The equipment is all made by hand by the trainees to a very high standard, and sale of these goods will also go a long way to securing the future of the project.