Created by Scottish Government and managed by Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) across Scotland, the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults (the Fund) supports community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing, and/or mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health. Since the beginning of the Fund in 2021, it has provided around 3300 grants to third sector groups and organisations across Scotland delivering community-based mental health and wellbeing support.

CVS Falkirk & District are pleased to share the results of the most recent round of the Fund. Please find below the names of the 36 third sector groups and organisations who made successful applications, totalling a local investment of over £435,000:

Artlink Central / Camelon Arts	FFCF	Friends of Scottish Settlers (FOSS)	Laurieston Bowling Club	Safebase Scotland (Falkirk Safebase)	Tamfourhill Community Hub
C-19 Café t/a Long Covid Cuppa	Food Train	Go! Youth Trust	LGBT Youth Scotland	Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)	The Braveheart Association
Dates-n-Mates Falkirk	Forth Valley College	Grangemouth Community Care	LinkLiving Ltd	Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs	The Breastfeeding Network
Early Years Scotland	Forth Valley Migrant Support Network	Grangemouth Old Peoples Welfare [Talbot House]	One Parent Families Scotland	Strathcarron Hospice	The Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust aka Maggie’s
Falkirk Baptist Church SCIO	Forth Valley Pandas	Home 2 Hospital	PLUS (Forth Valley) Limited	Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC	Transform Forth Valley
FDAMH (Falkirk’s Mental Health Association)	Forth Valley Sensory Centre	Key	Rainbow House Wellness CIC	SWAN	Volunteering Matters

We are so pleased for all of the successful applicants, and excited for the opportunities being developed and delivered within the Falkirk District area – and are always keen to celebrate them. With this in mind, we asked some of the successful applicants to explain what this funding means to their organisations:

Jean Geddes of Home 2 Hospital said,

“Anyone who has just received a cancer diagnosis knows that there are a number of anxieties to deal with, one of which is how they will get to the range of appointments for tests and treatment which will be vital to their recovery. The aim of Home 2 Hospital is to relieve them of this particular stress by offering them a free, comfortable door to door service tailored to their personal needs. We were aware that such services were available in other areas, but not in Larbert and Stenhousemuir, so in September last year (2023) we set about doing something about it. CVS pointed us in the direction of the Communities Mental Health and Well Being Fund. We found the application process fairly straightforward and were delighted to hear we had been successful. As well as providing much needed funds, we feel this gives a strong message that our project not only offers practical help but also helps to reduce stress and anxiety for people on their cancer journey.”

Carolyn Dick, Regional Lead of Dates-n-Mates Falkirk said,

“We are delighted to receive this generous funding, which will enable us to expand our efforts in addressing the mental health disparities faced by adults with learning disabilities. Social isolation has a huge negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing and we know the past few years especially have been challenging for our members. Dates-n-Mates aim to tackle isolation for adults with a learning disability and create opportunities to develop meaningful connections. We know the importance of friendships and how they can support a positive outlook on life. This funding will enable us to deliver more events and workshops to build members confidence, enhance wellbeing and make new friends. Dates-n-Mates Falkirk host weekly events and workshops so that people with a learning disability gain a healthy social routine. We empower our members to manage their mental health and wellbeing in a variety of ways including delivering money management workshops, dancersize and crafting sessions and peer support activities. Dates-n-Mates members have opportunities to learn new skills and volunteer at our events which helps to give a sense of purpose and further improves wellbeing.”

The Fund being distributed by Third Sector Interfaces reflected the importance placed on community support as part of the overall mental health infrastructure. With CVS Falkirk & District Deputy CEO Lynsey Hansford saying:

“CVS Falkirk & District received a record number of applications to this latest round of the Fund, demonstrating a desire within the third sector to develop their approach to meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs they see every day in their communities. We are pleased to have been able to make 36 awards from the most recent iteration of the Fund in March 2024 and the news that another round of this Fund will be made available is very welcome.”

Certainly, it is greatly thrilling to be able to celebrate the successful recipients of these awards just as a Year 4 investment has been confirmed by the Scottish Government, with former First Minister Humza Yousaf stating at the time:

“This further £30 million will fund community based projects which are focused on prevention and early intervention, and this is a significant step forward in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing by making sure they can easily access the help they need, when and where they need it.”

Likely to be launched towards the end of 2024, CVS Falkirk & District will share more information about this opportunity as it becomes available.

Anyone looking for support with finding funding and completing applications (or for further information on the next round of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund as it becomes available) should contact CVS Falkirk & District by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk.