Minister for Empowering Communities Marco Biagi popped into the 20More Dumbiedykes Express shop this morning, to announce the project has been awarded a People & Communities grant to help us train community members to lead the project.
Which is indeed giving Scottish Government a bargain - the opportunities we create for community members can change their lives, as well as helping change their community, the ripple effect from the grant will be massive.
Karen Gillan, our project's benefits advisor, is a living local example - Karen trained in benefits, housing and debt advice as a volunteer in our Serenity Cafe project. As a Dumbiedykes resident, she was happy to join our 20 More project team to help all local residents gain £20 a week more, and in fact most of her early clients have gained way over £20 a week more, through her help to find their way around the benefits system.
With the People & Communities grant, we can help more people follow Karen's path.
Marco gave us the thumbs up on our work as we explained to him our next big idea after the shop - the community-led Energy Supply Company aiming at reducing household electricity costs.