Successful Sutherland employment initiative, New Futures Sutherland, has secured Big Lottery funding of £375,900 to continue its operations for the next five years. New Futures Sutherland, based in Bonar Bridge, has project workers across Sutherland who help individual, disadvantaged clients to prepare for work, volunteering, further education or training. New Futures Sutherland can now continue its much-needed and effective mentoring and support to current clients in their homes – and expand its Sutherland-wide operations.

New Futures Sutherland is run by the Sutherland Partnership, Sutherland’s community planning partnership. Mary Macleod, New Futures Sutherland project manager, coordinates the client mentoring and support activities of New Futures Sutherland project workers, who are based at various locations across the county. Mary is "over the moon" at this fantastic Big Lottery Fund award.

"It seems that The Big Lottery Fund were impressed by the way New Futures Sutherland has helped so many Sutherland people since its foundation eight years ago, and by our plans for the future," Mary says. "Over that time we have helped nearly 200 people, and enabled most of them fulfil their potential by finding work, or undertaking volunteering, or training or education. The Big Lottery Fund agreed with us that such work needed to continue, and they have given us the tools to do it!"

New Futures Sutherland was part of a Scotland-wide New Futures initiative launched nearly a decade ago – but following the end of Scottish Executive funding most New Futures local initiatives across the country ended some time ago. New Futures Sutherland has survived thanks to the hard work and commitment of Sutherland Partnership members and colleagues: Highland Council, and HIE Caithness and Sutherland, have funded New Futures Sutherland over the past two years, and Voluntary Groups East Sutherland has provided management expertise. A year ago New Futures Sutherland negotiated a partnership with Working for Families, a Scottish Executive project which helps parents to overcome the barriers to getting jobs or training, and New Futures Sutherland team members deliver the WfF product in Sutherland.

Sutherland Partnership chairman John McMorran is delighted by the Big Lottery Fund award. "New Futures Sutherland has been doing excellent work over a number of years and we were all very worried that it would now end. It has survived because of partnership working, and the commitment of Sutherland Partnership member organisations. I am most grateful to them, and to the Big Lottery Fund – whose generous funding will allow New Futures Sutherland to continue, and make a huge difference to many lives in Sutherland over the next five years."

With its new funding, New Futures Sutherland is now looking for new clients. If YOU live in Sutherland and have difficulties in your life which have prevented you getting into work, why not give Mary Macleod a call on 01863 766183, or Email mary@newfutures.freeserve.co.uk.

For further information contact William Sutherland, Manager of Sutherland Partnership, 01549 402646.