With just three weeks until the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games begin, ten community groups across Lanarkshire have been awarded a total of £76,999 through the National Lottery Awards for All Scotland programme. The funding will support a wide range of inclusive arts, sports, and community activities designed to bring people together and celebrate the Games.
Projects and Locations
The funded projects span Glenboig, Hamilton, Motherwell, Rutherglen, Shotts, Uddingston, and Wishaw. Recipients include Glenboig Development Trust, Clyde FC Community Foundation, Hillhouse Link Tenant and Residents Association, Childcare in the Community, Hamilton Information project for Youth (HIPY), Befriend in Motherwell, Project 31 in Rutherglen, Getting Better Together in Shotts, Uddingston Shinty Club, and Disco Buddies Ltd in Wishaw.
Disco Buddies Active
Disco Buddies received £10,000 to launch Disco Buddies Active, a summer sports event and weekly sports sessions for individuals with additional support needs in North Lanarkshire. The programme aims to reduce barriers to sports and physical activity, improve wellbeing, and build community connections.
Lynsay McArthur, project lead at Disco Buddies, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to launch Disco Buddies Active thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund. This funding will help adults with additional support needs, disabilities, and those experiencing isolation to become more active in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. It will improve wellbeing, build confidence, and create meaningful opportunities for people to connect, have fun, and lead healthier, happier lives.”
Uddingston Shinty Club
Uddingston Shinty Club received £6,972 to run a 12-month programme of community-based inclusive disability shinty, inspired by the inclusivity of the Commonwealth Games. Lee Thomson, Chair of Uddingston Shinty Club, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award from The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding is a game-changer for the club, allowing us to provide more opportunities for people of all abilities to take part in shinty and physical activity in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. It will help reduce barriers to participation, improve wellbeing, build confidence and create lasting friendships. On behalf of everyone at Uddingston Shinty Club, we would like to thank National Lottery players for making this possible. The positive impact of this funding will be felt across our community for many years to come.”
Childcare in the Community
Childcare in the Community used its £4,625 grant to stage two Commonwealth Games festivals. Karen Shields, Childcare and Training Manager, said: “Children, families and our community are delighted to have been chosen for the Awards for All grant to mark the 2026 Commonwealth Games and hold a sports festival and well fit project. Childcare in the Community’s inclusive sports activities is for everyone to take part in, giving our community the chance to meet new people, build trust and form friendships that last well beyond the 2026 Commonwealth Games.”
Hamilton Information Project for Youth (HIPY)
HIPY received £7,020 to host a three-day Games-inspired event engaging 150 families in Hamilton. Gillian McCahon, Project Co-Ordinator, said: “HIPY is delighted to receive funding from The National Lottery Awards for All to bring the excitement of the Commonwealth Games to Hamilton. We are excited to bring Going for Gold to The Regent Centre which will provide information and sport opportunities to the local community with the aim of making sport more accessible for all. We have an information marketplace where local sport organisations will publicise opportunities and information on how to join, as well as a showcase area with a range of free sport taster sessions. We hope this will give young people the opportunity to try some new sports and learn new skills.”
Other Funded Projects
Glenboig Development Trust (£9,998) will deliver a series of Glasgow 2026 inspired community activities and events. Clyde FC Community Foundation (£7,314) will run literacy workshops to promote sports. Hillhouse Link Tenant and Residents Association (£9,470) will encourage participation through a summer sports programme styled around the Games. Project 31 (£10,000) will stage five events celebrating the art, culture, food, and music of Commonwealth countries. Getting Better Together (£9,088) will deliver a 12-month programme of inclusive activities including walking netball, inclusive boccia, and community cycling alongside celebration events. Befriend (£2,512) will deliver a one-day Commonwealth Games event bringing older adults together through movement, culture, and shared experiences.
Wider Impact and Legacy
The funding is part of an additional £2.2 million investment through National Lottery Awards for All Scotland, delivered jointly by The National Lottery Community Fund, sportscotland, and Creative Scotland. Chris Ansell, Glasgow 2026 Director of Live Programmes and Engagement, said: “From Shetland to the Borders, we want every community in Scotland to feel part of Glasgow 2026. The response from communities across the country has been brilliant with the nation really embracing the spirit of the Games and channelling it into sport, arts and cultural activity. Thanks to support from the National Lottery, we are gathering communities together to celebrate the Games in their own way.”
The All In campaign is Glasgow 2026’s Scotland-wide movement inviting communities, schools, sports clubs, cultural and voluntary organisations, and businesses to celebrate the Games. The Games themselves take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, featuring ten sports, the largest Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history, 3,000 athletes from 74 nations, and 215 gold medals across four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
