Institute Principal, Professor Malory Nye has visited a project in Dundee that is benefiting from the support of the Institute’s Community Awards’ Fund, established in 2008.
The Factory Skatepark in Balunie Drive is committed to creating a safe environment for all children and young people, and encourages healthy lifestyle choices, educational attainment, and life long learning.
It has a vigorous youth and community programme that embraces homework clubs, youth clubs and computing sessions for senior citizens.
“It was a highly interesting, informative and entertaining visit,” said Professor Nye, who said he declined the opportunity to jump on a skateboard.
“The money we have donated is funding three part-time trainers to work with the nine schools involved in the projects under way at the Skatepark. In all, this means that for the length of the one-year funding, up to 500 children will be able to use its facilities as well as learning new skills and gaining overall confidence from being there. The Skatepark also acts as a community centre for children in the many surrounding districts, a number of which score high on the ratings for social deprivation. The children we met and talked with were enthusiastic and were certainly having a great time. I am very pleased as all this underlines the purpose of our funding support and it is good to see that we are able to play a part and help make this difference.”
Youth worker, Mark Brash, who accompanied Professor Nye during the visit, said: “We were pleased that Professor Nye was able to come to experience for himself what we are offering. The Al-Maktoum Institute’s generous donation has allowed us to take our experience and equipment out into the local community, giving less fortunate young people the chance to take part in skateboarding and roller-blading.”
The Institute’s Community Awards Fund was set up to support community groups and charities in Dundee and the surrounding area in an attempt to help many different groups who might not otherwise be able to fulfil their objectives.
The Institute’s Community Services Committee – responsible for operating the fund – works with the Scottish Community Foundation to promote its remit.
