Four organisations in the city have been awarded £5000 each through Virgin Unite’s Local Legends scheme.
The fund is designed to support charities tackling issues across the UK and is backed by the Virgin Group’s independent non-profit foundation.
All charities supported by the fund are nominated by Virgin employees in the UK who volunteer with them.
The latest round marks the fourth phase of funding since the scheme’s launch, with nearly £750,000 distributed to 123 charities so far.
Glasgow beneficiaries in this round include Men Matter Scotland, West of Scotland Deaf Children Society (WSDCS), Volunteer Glasgow and Glasgow Street Aid.
The grant will support Men Matter Scotland’s Stronger Together project, which focuses on suicide prevention and outreach.
It includes peer-led mental health groups, crisis outreach and outdoor wellbeing activities in some of Glasgow’s most deprived areas.
Fraser Devine of Men Matter Scotland said: “Men Matter Scotland is proud to receive support from Virgin Unite.
“We provide life-changing mental health and wellbeing support for men, offering peer-led groups, crisis support, recovery programmes and safe spaces where men can connect and talk openly without judgment.
“This funding will directly strengthen our community-based services, helping us reach even more men who are struggling with isolation, addiction, poor mental health and suicidal thoughts.”
Glasgow Street Aid, which provides pre-hospital care in the city centre to reduce pressure on ambulance and A&E services, will also benefit from the funding.
John Barclay, of Glasgow Street Aid, said: “We are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful to have been selected to receive this grant.
“This funding will make a real difference to our charity’s work in supporting vulnerable individuals across Glasgow through our frontline medical and welfare services.
“It allows us to continue providing compassionate, life-saving care where it’s needed most and to further strengthen our community impact.”
West of Scotland Deaf Children Society, which supports deaf children and their families, will use the grant to fund trips to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted theatre performances.
Linda Mooney, complaint policy manager at Virgin Money and volunteer for West of Scotland Deaf Children Society, said: “Receiving this grant is truly breathtaking.
“The West of Scotland Deaf Children Society tries to raise funds for our deaf children to attend events together, increasing their confidence and making new friends in the deaf community.
“Every year, the WSDCS gets together for a British Sign Language pantomime.
“This year we are going to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow.
“This grant will be used for this year’s event and next year’s.”
Volunteer Glasgow, which supports and promotes volunteering across the city, will also use its grant to expand services.
Sophia Robinson, relationship manager at Virgin Money and a volunteer for Volunteer Glasgow, said: “Even after 10 years, I still love being a young person’s befriender.
“It’s amazing to see how far my young person has come and the obstacles they’ve overcome.
“I take great pride in knowing that by giving just a couple of hours of my time each week, I’ve been able to make a real difference in their journey.”
Virgin Unite launched the £1 million Local Legends fund in 2023 to champion the volunteering efforts of Virgin employees and support the charities closest to them.
“We passionately believe these people are true legends and should be celebrated.
“This is why we set up Local Legends with Virgin Unite as a UK project to support local charities and recognise Virgin family members who give up their time to make a difference in their communities.”
Sheetal Vyas, managing director of Virgin Unite, said: “I’m delighted that Virgin Unite has been able to support the work of so many charities tackling unacceptable issues in their communities, with issues ranging from poverty relief and education equality to health and human rights.
“It’s especially rewarding that each of the charities has been nominated by one of our Virgin colleagues and celebrates their fantastic volunteering work with the organisations.”
