Foundation cash boosts ILB work

The money from Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland will go towards staff costs.

Interest Link Borders matches children over eight and adults with volunteers who help them get involved with social and leisure activities.

Project co-ordinator Andrew Findlay said: “Many people with learning disabilities find themselves isolated as it is hard for them to get involved in activities most of us take for granted, such as shopping, swimming or even just going out for a coffee. The whole point of what we do is to improve day-to-day life for people by giving them the support they need to do things they enjoy and which make their lives better.”

In recent years the charity started a service for children to help them take part in out-of- school activities.

Mr Findlay said: “This has really taken off now and not only gets these children mixing with other children out of school but also helps make their lives as normal as possible which is so important.

“Our volunteers do a great job but someone has to co-ordinate all this work and like most charities we often struggle to raise the money to cover these costs, so this funding is very welcome.”

More than 200 people a year use the charity’s services which are available through four branches across the Borders. As well as helping people do everyday things, this support also gives their carers a break.

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland’s chief executive Mary Craig said: “Volunteers need training and the work has to be well planned and managed, so we’re delighted to be able to play a part in allowing that to happen.

“Many of our awards go to help pay for basic costs such as salaries, and of the seven awards we’ve made to Interest Link Borders over the years four of these have been for salary costs.”