Lottery Funding supports Dennistoun Explorers Group

Descriptor: First we see Brendan Cole, standing on a Dennistoun street in Glasgow.

Brendan Cole: I’m here in Dennistoun in Glasgow today, to visit the Explorers Group.

Descriptor: We now see the exterior of a the Explorers Group building, before seeing shots of  members of the Explorers Group playing a ball game outside, then walking into the games area.

Brendan Cole: They have applied for a National Lottery fund so they can extend their project to the wider community.

Descriptor: We now meet Paul McIlvenny, the Project Leader of the Explorers Group. As Paul speaks, we see members of the Explorers Group using the facilities, such as a pool table and table tennis, before seeing a group of young men being taught to play the guitar and drums.

Paul McIlvenny: The Explorers Group is a group of young adults who are sixteen plus, ah, who have extra support needs who live in the community. Em, they could have physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental health issues, and they want to just achieve the, the things that teenagers their own age would, would do normally. So we hope to empower them to do that.

Descriptor: We now meet Lisa, who is a Youth Worker at the Explorers Group. As Lisa speaks, we see her playing table football with one of the members, and another using a music mixing console.

Lisa: For them it’s definitely a social, you know, aspect and it’s something that’s guaranteed for them every two weeks, that they know that they’re going to get to come and have fun, you know, and it’s sort of a wee bit of structure as well for them.

Descriptor: We now meet Wesley, who is a volunteer at the Explorers Group. As Wesley speaks, we see group members socialising and playing games.

Wesley: If the Explorer’s Group didn’t exist they wouldn’t be, like, you know, coming here and making their friends. They need to get out and lead an independent and active life.

Descriptor: We now meet Paul, who is a member of the Explorers Group, who describes what the group has done for him. As Paul speaks, we see him playing table tennis.

Paul: Since I’ve started with this group, I’ve become a lot calmer, more pleasant towards people and in return, people are being more pleasant to me, they have. It’s made me actually more confident in myself.

Descriptor: We now see a group of staff and group members playing basketball outside, before once again meeting Paul McIlvenny.

Paul McIlvenny: We’ve had a huge call for a younger age group, there’s a need and demand out there in the community for it.

Descriptor: We once again see Brendan Cole who speaks directly to the camera.

Brendan Cole: I’m now outside the neighbourhood centre, where this week’s Explorer session is coming to an end.  It’s time to go in and surprise them.

Descriptor: We now see shots of Brendan Cole entering the Explorers Group session to present them with their grant cheque, and shots of smiling staff and members applauding and watching him.

Brendan: The reason I am here is on behalf of the National Lottery, because you guys do such a great job, I’m here to present you with this cheque, a grant for nine thousand, nine hundred and eighty pounds!

Descriptor: We now see shots of Brendan speaking to staff members and Explorers Group Members and shaking hands, with further applause. Staff and Group members celebrate, with one young man dancing and others photographing themselves and each other with the cheque. Once again we see Paul McIlvenny.

Paul McIlvenny: This is great news for the group. It means we can now work with a younger age group, which there’s a huge need and demand for in the area.

Descriptor: We now meet Wesley again, who describes what the money will mean for the group. As he speaks, we see Brendan with members of the group.

Wesley: We’ve just been awarded over nine thousand pounds from The National Lottery, which is absolutely amazing. Thank you very much indeed, thank you.

Descriptor: We see final shots of Brendan playing table football with some of the Explorers Group members, and smiling members holding the cheque.