Funding awards for Glasgow clubs

20th March 2024

New and continued funding announced

GCVS announced funding awards in Glasgow from the Scottish Government’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. Congratulations to all the successfully funded projects, and especially the following groups and clubs within our inclusive sport network. 

• Cathkin Blazes Community FC
• Rainbow Glasgaroos
• Rainbow Volley 
• Trans Active Glasgow 
• Weegie Whackers LGBTQ+ Tennis Club  

The fund supports work that improves mental wellbeing and recognises the importance of communities in improving the wellbeing of Glasgow’s citizens. You can read more about this on the GCVS website here. 

The Rainbow Volley project (see main picture) who run regular Make Mondeys Volleyball sessions and are growing 'The Wee Smashers' volleyball team, received a small grant last year and a larger grant this year. They said: 

The Rainbow Volley project is delighted to benefit from the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, and with thanks to the guidance and support from LEAP Sports Scotland. 

Our grant enables us to secure our weekly hall hire which is essential during the winter months as volleyball is not traditionally played outdoors in Scotland. We play outside as much as we can from April until October providing free volleyball for anyone wishing to play. We've grown into a regular 18 players, and we now seek to consolidate this success and grow and invest in our players with the addition of at least one coaching and training session and the continuation of our well received outdoor play at Glasgow Green.   

Receiving a grant for the first time, the Weegie Whackers said: 

The Weegie Whackers are delighted to be a recipient of the Glasgow Wellbeing Fund to support the development of our young club. In less than 10 months, the club has grown to 45 regular members and our sessions cater to participants of all tennis abilities. Many of our members had previously not been involved in any LGBTIQ+ sport groups and also had less opportunities to engage in sport and physical activity in a safe and welcoming environment.

We'll be putting the Fund to good use over the next 12 months. In order to continue offering affordable sessions to our members, we have decided to subsidise some of the cost of indoor winter training. In addition to this, some of the Fund will go towards new equipment, and learning & development opportunities for our members, which will also make our club more sustainable. Finally, to grow the visibility and recognition of the club, we'll be investing some of the Fund into branding and communications.

None of this would be possible without the support of the Glasgow Wellbeing Fund, and we're really excited to continue expanding the club and offering more tennis opportunities for the LGBTIQ+ community in Glasgow.