A project aimed at 30 people from Africa who live in Angus has received a council grant of almost £5,000.
Forfar-based charity STRIDE received a £4,993.88 grant during the council’s latest round of community grant awards.
The group’s secretary Joseph Lumbasi said STRIDE intends to use the money to work with people from Africa to improve their health and wellbeing.
He said: “STRIDE has received a grant to work with 30 people from the African communities living in Angus.
“We will be reaching out to those most hard to reach, helping to improve their health, social skills and community integration.
“We will work with both men and women, the elderly and young people. We will also work with other groups in Angus such as scouting and community walking initiatives in Angus.”
The charity secretary said the group would work with volunteers in Angus to help identify activities.
“We plan to link up with walking clubs in Angus to help reduce isolation among African people as well as improving social integration among such communities,” Mr Lumbasi added.
The funds will be spent on worker fees, the purchase of activity equipment, venue hire, publicity costs and refreshments and provisions during outdoor activities.
STRIDE was registered with the Scottish Charity Regulator in 2013 with an aim of relieving the poverty and alleviating suffering of African people in Scotland.
In 2014 it celebrated and raised awareness of the Commonwealth Games by holding a sports event for 50 families living in Dundee and Angus.
It has also been carrying out a project called Keeping the African Heritage Alive in Scotland, which involves 30 families.
Explaining the project, Mr Lunbasi added: “We talked to first and second generation African immigrants in Angus and Dundee to find out the activities and games their children participate in and the bedtime stories they tell their children.
“Most African people who took part in this project said that due to isolation and busy work schedules they do not get time to get out and play with their children.
“Hence they said if STRIDE could organise events both indoor and outdoor that would motivate them to come and participate.
“The evidence of the demand for this project is that we have 12 African families who are ready and have signed on to get involved in such outdoor and indoor events.
“We will use the 12 families to publicise the project and reach out to as many African people in Angus who will come along to participate in our community events.”
In approving the grant, councillors were told that the funds would help increase physical activity, minimise isolation, bring families together, teach healthy eating, sharing parenting skills and create connections in the community.
