As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, CVS Falkirk & District are proud to announce the local third sector organisations who have been able to strengthen their impact on community wellbeing thanks to further investment from the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

Within our role as Grant Giver, CVS Falkirk & District have facilitated the delivery of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund since its launch in 2021, delivering over £2million in funding to various projects across the Falkirk District. CEO, Victoria McRae states:

“Local delivery of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund now represents a significant investment in the Falkirk District area. The fund supports local employment, volunteering, community events, direct support for individuals, supportive groups and more – all with a shared aim of improving mental health and wellbeing for local people. This is the first time CVS Falkirk & District have been able to offer 2-year awards, as part of Scottish Government’s Fairer Funding pilot. We have long advocated for fairer funding models for the third sector, so to be able to be part of this pilot is a pleasure for our team.”

CVS Falkirk & District is pleased to share that the most recent round of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has supported 45 groups and organisations to deliver projects ranging from grief and loss support to dedicated time in nature. Totalling an investment of £515,429.03, these organisations include:

Age Concern Larbert & Stenhousemuir; Airth & District Senior Citizens Group; Artlink Central; Avonbridge Church; Barnardo’s; Bo’ness Rugby Club; Central Advocacy Partners; Dates-n-Mates; Denny and Bonnybridge Men’s Shed; Early Years Scotland (EYS); Forth Valley College; Forth Valley Migrant Support Network; Freedom Of Mind Community Choir; Friends of Scottish Settlers (FOSS); Go! Youth Trust; Home-Start Falkirk; Key; Limerigg Action Group; LinkLiving Ltd; One Parent Families Scotland; Pause And Breathe CIC; PLUS Forth Valley; Polmont Sports Centre Community Group; Polmont Together; Rainbow Muslim Women Group; Recovery Scotland; Riverview Community SCIO; Royal Voluntary Service; Safebase Scotland (Falkirk Safebase); Sahelis; Scots Recovery From Childhood Abuse; Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs; Strathcarron Hospice; Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC; SWAN; TCV (The Conservation Volunteers); The Braveheart Association; The Breastfeeding Network; The Food Train; The Kit-Tea Café; The Reclaim Room CIC; The Scottish Pantry Network; The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland; Town Break Dementia Support Services; Transform Forth Valley (Time 4 Us); Volunteering Matters

Rooted in the communities they serve, these organisations are uniquely positioned to understand local needs and provide early, preventative help. Reflecting on the value of this investment, representatives from two of the funded organisations were keen to share how their projects have been enabled:

“Though Polmont and the surrounding area is generally thought of as being a well-off area, there are large parts of our community living in deprivation. The grant from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has allowed us to fund free places for mini gyms, chair yoga and walking football to families/individuals who would be excluded from these activities because of poverty. The response has been amazing with Parkhill ELC, Meadowbank Health Centre and Falkirk Carers Centre identifying our community who would most benefit from these free activities. Our vision for our centre is to provide activities for our whole community irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, physical ability or income. Your grant has helped us towards realising our vision. Thank you so much.” (Polmont Sports Centre Community Group)

“For the people who attend our sessions, this funding removes one of the biggest barriers to support: cost. It means they can access a warm, welcoming space where they are seen, valued and able to focus on their wellbeing without financial pressure. Our beneficiaries often come to us feeling isolated, lacking confidence or disconnected from themselves. Through creativity, self-expression and community, they begin to rebuild self-worth, form supportive relationships and experience moments of joy and calm that many haven’t felt in a long time. This funding makes those transformations possible and ensures that the people who need it most in Falkirk can access it free of charge.” (The Reclaim Room)

In February 2025, the Fund was chosen by Scottish Government to be part of their Fairer Funding Pilot – meaning that for the first time some applicants were able to receive funding for projects and activities over a two-year period. As part of this, 20 groups were awarded two-year funding for a variety of community-based projects and initiatives, with one such recipient highlighting the value this creates:

“One of our golden threads with the gardening aspect of Polmont Together Charity is to provide beautiful spaces within the village for ALL to enjoy TOGETHER. This new generous funding will allow local residents & visitors to spend time experiencing a carefully designed environment that will allow individuals to remember loved ones, explore their senses along with provoking conversation and form new friendships. We endeavour again as with our other green spaces to provide accessibility for all and a wildlife friendly garden to benefit our community as a whole.” (Polmont Together)

The Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund consistently demonstrates the importance of this investment, for the groups and individuals who organise or utilise these projects. CVS Falkirk & District is proud to celebrate the positive change this investment will bring, with CEO, Victoria, further elaborating:

“Projects and programmes funded build healthier, more resilient communities where people feel supported, connected, and empowered. Now totalling 195 projects supported over five rounds, we are always inspired by the impact this investment has on our local communities – from young people gaining confidence and resilience through structured wellbeing learning programmes to older adults’ groups combatting isolation and loneliness, the benefits are felt across all age groups.”

For funding queries or organisational support, contact our team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk or phone: 01324 692000.