A Dundee-based charitable group has distributed over £700k of funding to set up services and projects that benefit people and communities across Scotland.

The Hillcrest Group of Companies’ Gift Aid initiative has supported 109 projects and activities with grant funding of £706,696 since the scheme launched in 2013.

Hillcrest’s fundraising and grants officer, Clare McNally, said: “The Gift Aid process allows us to invest profits from the Group into our two charities, Gowrie Care and Hillcrest Housing Association.

“Each year we encourage staff to suggest how and where the money would be best spent so that the funds directly benefit our service users and tenants. The initiative also highlights opportunities for internal collaboration and for sharing good practice which would not have been possible without the group structure.”

In 2018 over £85,000 was awarded to 20 projects including Gowrie Care’s Think Yourself Free which aims to develop a book of poems written by people living with substance misuse. The writing workshops will enable people to reflect on their experiences and release emotions, whilst the book will contribute to breaking down stigma towards people who use substances.

Another project that has benefitted from the scheme is Gowrie Care’s Starter Packs. This project assists people moving on from homeless accommodation into their own tenancies by providing a pack of household items catered to each person’s individual needs.

Gowrie Care’s managing director, Joy Dunlop, said: “The money we receive from Gift Aid funds has enabled us to establish a wide range of projects that transform the quality of life for people facing severe and multiple disadvantages.

“The innovative scheme not only encourages staff to propose new ideas, but also empowers the people we support to have their say and make suggestions. Over the past few years many of the projects and services started by Gift Aid funding are now core functions within the organisation.”