The Wood Foundation is providing three years of funding to support the Russell Anderson Foundation (RAF) development of its offering in the Torry community.
The Wood Foundation has worked with the RAF team since its inception more than 10 years ago. In that time, the charity has become a valued and impactful community partner in the St Machar Academy catchment area using sport as a means to engage children and families in active and healthy lifestyles.
The funding will allow RAF to increase the number of coaching hours at Walker Road Primary School, as well as working in partnership to develop community hubs.
The programme of work aims to improve physical health and wellbeing, confidence, and aspirations through structured and positive activities.
Graeme Burnett, Chief Executive of the Russell Anderson Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to be expanding our footprint across the city, diversifying our model, and engaging the families of Torry in the way we have been lucky enough to do across the St Machar community.
“A key pillar of the success of our charity has been the longstanding and ongoing support of The Wood Foundation. This has provided financial security and a platform to deliver and grow our work. The significance of this cannot be overstated as the schools place huge importance on long term, sustainable relationships they and the children can rely on. Stability in the children’s lives is crucial as this is often missing and can have a negative impact on their life chances. “
RAF staff participated in service design training through The Wood Foundation’s NEW Fund investment. This has supported a redesign of services and increased staff and community engagement to better drive meaningful impact through its work.
Ali MacLachlan, UK Director at The Wood Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Graeme, Russell, and their delivery teams in this latest phase of ambitious work. The relationships they have developed across the St Machar community have certainly improved lives and it is great that there is now an opportunity to extend this to another area in the city, as well as an opportunity to continue to diversify the charity’s offering.”
The Wood Foundation is funding £90,000 over three years.