In a muive set tae aid local groups aa ower Scotland, the government haes annoonced a further £30 million for community-led mental health an weelbein projects ower the neist twa year. The new fundin cycle o the Communities Mental Health an Weelbein Fund for Adults is aimed at biggin strenth an lessenin social isolation amang adults.

The Fund, first set up in 2021, supports smaw local groups in rinnin programmes that help fowk bigg resilience an fecht laneliness an mental health gaps. In its first three year, near 4,800 grants gaed tae community projects that rin peer support activities, rangin fae sport an ootdoor pursuits tae airts events.

Empouer Weemen for Chynge, a charity that haes secured grants in ilka roun o the Fund, is yaisin its award this year. The group plans tae support lane parents, faimilies wi a disabled memmer, Minority Ethnic faimilies, an young mithers. Visitin their office in Glesga, Mental Weelbein Minister Maree Todd remairked, “Ah am pleased tae meet staff an service yaisers at Empouer Weemen for Chynge an hear mair aboot the valuable wark they dae in the community they support. It is inspirin tae see first-haun the impact that this fundin can hae.” She added, “Syne the fund wis established, we hae invested £66 million, raxin a variety o groups supportin thae at increased risk o puir mental health an weelbein – includin fowk facin socio-economic disadvantage, aulder fowk an ethnic minority communities. Ah look forrit tae seein the positive impact that this further £30 million investment will mak tae the weelbein o fowk an communities ower Scotland.”

Empouer Weemen for Chynge CEO an Foonder Asma Abdalla said, “We are delichted an honoured tae walcome the Minister Maree Todd tae wir organisation. The Weelbein Fund has played a transformative role in improvin the lives o oor service yaisers o ethnic minority weemen an lasses an oor volunteers, memmers, an staff. Throu oor Inspired Weemen projects, we hae provided vital mental health support, resilience, an community connection, chyngin lives an strenthenin communities. We are lookin forrit tae continuin this wark, wi support fae the Weelbein Fund. We walcome this unique opportunity tae share Inspired Wimmin pairticipants’ testimonies, their vyces pynt oot the urgent need for sustained investment in grassroots weelbein services. Please jyne us in amplifeein their stories an celebratin the pouer o community-led chynge.”

Sheena Arthur, Partnership Manager at Glesga Cooncil for the Voluntary Sector, said, “We are delichted that the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health an Weelbein Fund is continuin. This fund delivers sma grants that mak a positive difference an sae far, hae supported ower 900 Third Sector organisations an community groups ower Glesga. In increasingly challengin times, the Third Sector plays a crucial role. This fund enables the development o existin projects as weel as emergin ideas fae the community. It helps tae bring fowk thegither- contributin tae better health an weelbein o fowk an faimilies, strenthenin social connections an tacklin inequality an poverty.”

The new fundin is set tae gie for applications this hairst. Wi a firm focus on the grassroots, the initiative howps tae touch mair lives an spreid a sense o howp far an wide throuoot Scottish communities.