Comic Relief is encouraging Scottish charities and voluntary groups working with young people (11-21) affected by domestic violence to consider applying to its domestic violence programme.  Grants are usually between £5,000 and £120,000, and run over a 3 year period.

The programme funds work which:

• Increases access to emotional and practical support
• Helps young people understand their right to be safe within families and relationships
• Increases awareness amongst mainstream organisations, policy makers and planners of the needs of young people affected by domestic violence

Examples of the type of work that can be funded are:

• Group work (including arts/drama, peer support and building life skills)
• One to one work (including counselling, advocacy, emergency interventions and peer support)
• Preventative work (especially with organisations who already have materials, who have existing relationships with schools/youth clubs and who have a plan for how the work can be embedded into the curriculum)

Deadlines for applications to its grant programmes are 28 February 2008 and 15 August 2008.

They welcome applications from domestic violence agencies and organisations working with young people aged 11 to 21; we do not fund work with younger children.  They recognise the need to work with young boys and young men as well as girls and young women.  They are especially keen to encourage applications for work with young people from rural communities as there is currently little work in this area.  They are especially keen to encourage applications from groups working in Scotland as Scotland is under represented in grants made in this programme area to date.

Further information please contact: Joanne Davies

Grant Inquiries: UK Grants Team: Tel: 020 78020 6954 Email: j.davies@comicrelief.org.uk

Media Inquiries: Kristina Kyriacou, media manager - 020 7820 5563

• For further information about the Comic Relief grants programme and how to apply, please download the UK Grant Making Guidelines and application pack from www.comicrelief.com.  Alternatively you can send a self addressed A4 envelope with 85p postage to: UK Grants Team, Comic Relief 5th Floor, 89 Albert Embankement, London, SE1 7TP
• Large print, Braille and audiotape versions are available on request.
• The purpose of any work must be charitable.
• Comic Relief exists to tackle poverty and promote social justice in the UK and Africa.
• Since its launch in 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £425 million to help some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the UK and Africa to help themselves.
• Comic Relief is a registered charity, number 326568.