Funding helps East Dunbartonshire residents struggling to afford food and heat

The latest round of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Community Grants Scheme is open until 9 January 2026.

The £5,895 received by HHA was used to buy supermarket and fuel top-up vouchers for 46 households facing financial hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis or struggling to make ends meet while awaiting Universal Credit.

A spokesperson for HHA said: “We were very pleased. The vouchers were paid to people from all walks of life and of all ages; teens to pensioners.

“We would like to thank the council for this funding, as without it, we would not have been able to provide the support to local residents. It cannot be stated enough how much it has improved people’s living conditions and made a real impact on the support that Hillhead Housing Association has been able to provide.

“We would encourage all community groups to apply to the fund – the application is straightforward to complete.”

The Community Grants Scheme is fully externally financed – with the council utilising the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and the Talbot Crosbie Bequest charitable trust.

Organisations can request a grant of up to £5,000 or £10,000. The maximum, over the course of a year, a group can receive is £15,000.

Applications are being invited from groups that have a constitution and a bank account, are not for profit, can provide independently-verified accounts and aim to bring benefits to residents of East Dunbartonshire.

Funding can be sought for start-up costs, special projects, equipment and salaries.

Councillor Gordan Low, leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “I would encourage all eligible groups and projects to follow the lead of Hillhead Housing Association, which successfully applied for funding and continues to make a difference to local lives.

“The Community Grants Scheme aims to support and empower organisations carrying out excellent work at the heart of our communities. It is fully externally funded – ensuring we can continue to support worthy causes locally, despite ongoing financial challenges.”

It is anticipated that applicants will be informed if they have been successful by March 2026.