South Lanarkshire Council has approved an extra £300,000 for 25 community organisations across the region, following a decision by the Finance and Corporate Resources Committee on July 1. The additional funding brings the total value of Community Can Do Fund awards this year to £500,000.
Fund Demand Far Exceeded Budget
The Community Can Do Fund provides medium-sized grants to third sector organisations delivering local projects. Demand far exceeded the available budget, with 92 applications seeking over £1.1 million when applications opened late last year. An initial £200,000 was awarded to 12 organisations in February. After the council invested a further £300,000 in the third sector through its 2026/27 budget, councillors agreed to fund the next highest-scoring applications from the original assessment process.
Councillor Welcomes Decision
Councillor Gladys Ferguson-Miller (East Kilbride East) welcomed the decision, saying: “There are many worthwhile charities there so I’m pleased to see this.” The latest funding supports projects including financial advice services, community hubs, mental health support, employability programmes, arts and culture, youth development, volunteering, disability support, and initiatives to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing.
Funding Breakdown by Area
Hamilton Area
Organisations in the wider Hamilton area secured funding for various projects. Hamilton Citizens Advice Bureau received £12,000 for outreach advice; Supporting Our Community got £8,000 for wellbeing sessions for unpaid carers; Self-Directed Support Network South Lanarkshire secured £6,750 to promote self-directed support; Clutha Archaeology Group received £1,217 for community archaeology at Chatelherault Country Park; Blantyre Celtic Community Football Club was awarded £10,000 for first aid and coaching training; 3rd Blantyre Community Group secured £15,000 to bring High Blantyre Hall back into community use; Bothwell Futures received £18,000 for its Community Plan; Larkhall and District Volunteer Group got £20,000; PAMIS received £13,474 for tailored family support for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities; and Healthy and Active in East Kilbride received £15,628 to support The Meeting Place community hub.
Rutherglen and Cambuslang
Projects in Rutherglen and Cambuslang received funding for advice services, arts, mental health, and volunteering. Rutherglen and Cambuslang Citizens Advice Bureau secured £18,073; Rutherglen Repertory Theatre got £5,898; Revolve Recycle was awarded £8,250; the LEAP Project received £11,385 to expand Parkinson’s exercise classes and peer support; and CamGlen Radio received £10,662 for a 12-month volunteer recruitment and retention programme.
Clydesdale
Clydesdale groups received funding for employment, wellbeing, and community projects. Successful organisations include Soul of the Junction SCIO (£14,920); Forth Community Resource Centre (£16,966); Carluke and District Community Connections (£20,000); Lanark Men’s Shed (£7,700); Street Level (£12,940); Carluke Amateur Operatic Society (£9,000); and ISKCON Scotland (£9,450 for monthly wellbeing sessions).
Other Grants
Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust received £6,264 for its volunteer transport service for cancer patients; Lanarkshire Deaf Hub got £12,000; and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) secured £16,423.
Future Plans
Council officers said the additional funding was made possible through new recurring investment in the third sector and will help strengthen communities while longer-term plans are developed for a South Lanarkshire Third Sector Fund in partnership with Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLan). With the latest awards, the council has committed the full £500,000 available through this year’s Community Can Do Fund. Although applications totalled over £1.1 million, the additional investment means many more organisations can now deliver projects supporting residents across South Lanarkshire.
