MORE than £3 million has been given to help around 2000 young disabled people in Scotland maintain employment during the pandemic.

The Transition Fund, administered by the Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland, is for those aged between 16 and 25 and aims to help young people develop their independence, confidence and participation within their communities. A record 1822 applications were received since March last year.

Joe Eaglesham, 23, from Evanton in the Highlands, has ADHD and dyslexia. He was living in Glasgow before losing his job at the start of the pandemic.

He used ILF funding to undertake training and get his qualifications and he has just moved to Edinburgh for work.

“For the first time in my life, I don’t feel a sense of dread and wake up excited to go to work,” he said.