Set up in 2013, Raised Voices believes that through providing a platform where people can create, collaborate and express themselves it will enable the users of the service not only to integrate more with society, but also educate others through the telling of their stories.

The innovative theatre project will culminate in a specially written play which will be performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018.

Director Blair Christie said: “This grant means we can run our drama group for a whole year and produce a range of shows that will reach out to the community. This award is a lot more than just money in the bank, it’s a means for us to be able to combat isolation, promote inclusion and bring people together in a world that makes it easier to lose these connections. You can’t put a value on that and I can’t thank National Lottery Awards for All Scotland enough.”