AN INITIATIVE that will enable groups in the Musselburgh area to provide free taster sessions for new experiences in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis has been extended until the end of February.

Initially, Musselburgh Area Partnership, which has set aside £21,000 for the venture, had put a January 31 deadline on applications for funding from £100 up to a maximum of £500 to deliver the sessions.

Now this deadline for the initiative, called Project 21, has been extended until February 28.

The taster sessions will need to be delivered by 2023, a deadline that has also been extended from an initial date of October 31, 2022.

Iain Clark, chairman of Musselburgh Area Partnership, said: “Project 21 is an initiative to provide free taster sessions for a wide range of activities to get the community involved in local activities and gain new experiences to support health and wellbeing and social isolation.

“Local groups and organisations who provide activities can apply for up to £500 to run free taster sessions.

“I would strongly encourage any local group or organisation to apply.”

READ MORE: Fund established to pay for taster sessions

Stuart Baxter, East Lothian Council’s connected communities manager for Musselburgh, said: “The level of impact the pandemic has had on members of our community has become increasingly apparent over the last 18 months.

“It is hoped the free taster sessions offered with the Musselburgh Area Partnership Project 21 initiative will encourage people of all ages to get involved with groups and organisations helping to reduce the impact of social isolation and improve mental health across our community.”

Applicants could include youth organisations, crafts, sports and hobby clubs, and meeting groups.

Applications can be submitted by any community group or organisation that

is not a business and provides not-for-profit community activities to residents of Musselburgh, Old Craighall, Wallyford and Whitecraig.

To apply, go to eastlothian.gov.uk/musselburghap – applications should be emailed to musselburgh-ap@eastlothian.gov.uk

Alternatively, paper applications, which can be sourced by emailing musselburgh-ap@eastlothian.gov.uk, should be sent to Project 21, c/o Stuart Baxter, Connected Communities Manager, Brunton Hall, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, EH21 6AA.