£50,000 secures future of youth organisation Recharge

Recharge, which works with young people aged from 11 to 25 in the Fa’side area, was given the five-figure sum by The Robertson Trust.

The £49,500 goes towards the manager’s position, starting next January.

Alan Bell, manager at Recharge, was delighted with the funding announcement.

He said: “It is massive, especially this year. This was the last year of our current funding and we did not have any beyond that.

“To receive three years of funding has confirmed the future of the organisation.”

Mr Bell, who has been involved with the group for more than a decade, said the organisation provided support for young people.

The coronavirus pandemic had changed how the organisation worked, with services instead moving online.

However, as restrictions ease, Mr Bell was confident those services would start to go back to the way they were.

It is also hoped they could be back in their Tranent base this autumn.

Councillor Colin McGinn, who represents the Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry ward, is a trustee of Recharge.

He too was delighted with the funding announcement and highlighted the importance of Mr Bell.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted because it is a crucial bit of funding for us.

“Alan Bell is so key to that and Recharge running well. His influence is fantastic and it really, really helps us planning for the next year.”

Recharge works with young people to help increase their confidence, esteem and skills.

Support is also given to young people and families with issues that are affecting them.

Instead of face-to-face meetings, Recharge has been mainly working remotely and supporting young people through video links and phone calls, as well as pulling together a webpage of resources that can be accessed at home.

The Robertson Trust’s mission is to improve the quality of life and realise the potential of Scotland’s people and communities, with a particular focus on health, social and educational inequalities across Scotland.