The £2.5 million fund is provided by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Scottish Government and administered by the Corra Foundation.

The purpose of the HHF is to provide small grants to charities and community groups across Scotland who can pass the funding on directly to families and individuals on low incomes.

ONC has been awarded £5,250 worth of funding from the HHF which will go towards providing families and individuals vouchers to meet pressing needs such as food, fuel, household items, clothing, and other essentials.

ONC is also part of our citywide Warm and Welcoming Spaces initiative comprising libraries, community centres, museums and galleries, alongside partner and community spaces, where residents can take part in free activities, access information, advice, and support.

Council leader Cammy Day said: “I am really pleased to see the fantastic impact the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre is having in the local community. During an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis spaces like these are essential for individuals and families to access support and services. I am sure the Household Hardship Fund will be of great use to those in the community who need it most.

“I am incredibly proud of the selfless work undertaken by the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre and similar organisations across the capital, this reflects the very best of our citizens.”

Dominic Heslop, Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre manager, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Council Leader to Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre. Our Centre plays a pivotal role in our community with the varied activities we put on. These include our subsidised cafe, new initiatives such as being part of the Warm and Welcoming Spaces initiative, our Oxgangs Neighbourhood Cupboard which provides help to people in the area at a time of a rising cost of living.

“This new support of the Household Hardship Fund which is such a generous move by the National Lottery and The Corra Foundation. We pride ourselves on living up to our motto of being ‘A Centre for All’.”