Marking Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, we are pleased to share the results from the most recent round of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

Created by Scottish Government in 2021, in the first three years of funding around 4800 grants were made to a wide range of grassroots community projects across Scotland, focused on connecting people and providing peer support through activities such as sport, outdoor activities, and the arts. Within the Falkirk District specifically, CVS Falkirk & District are proud to note that, to date, the Fund has supported 85 third sector groups and organisations delivering community-based mental health and wellbeing support.

CVS Falkirk & District Deputy CEO, Lynsey Hansford, reflected on this to highlight:

“CVS Falkirk & District has managed the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for the Falkirk District area since it began, and we are fortunate as a funder to have the pleasure of hearing from applicants and their communities about the ways funded projects have been able to make a positive difference. Totalling 149 projects supported over 4 rounds, we look forward to seeing once more the impact this investment has on our local communities.”

In what looks to be an exciting time for local communities across the Falkirk District, this round awarded funding to 41 projects to be delivered by our Falkirk District third sector – totalling a local investment of over £426,000. These projects range from continuing support services to new and developing groups filling the gaps within their local areas, and proactively making a difference to promote good health and wellbeing – organisations supported by this Fund round are listed at the bottom of this page.

Aiming to tackle social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities, we spoke to representatives of two groups who were successful in obtaining funding to further develop their offering and better support their communities:

“The grant marks an exciting milestone for Blooming Bairns” said Stefanie Paterson, Assistant Manager at Falkirk Delivers. “It ensures we can move forward with our projects without having to rely on personal tools. With the right equipment, we’ll be able to create and maintain beautiful, vibrant green spaces in the town centre that offer a supportive environment where individuals can connect with nature and enjoy a calming, restorative atmosphere.”

“Receiving the fund means that we can continue to develop the Denny & Bonnybridge Men’s Shed as a mixed gender community shed in the heart of the community to provide further opportunities for individuals to gather, share ideas and learn new skills,” said Dave Vause, member of Denny & Bonnybridge Men’s Shed. “It is important in ensuring our shed remains open as a place for men and women to find community and receive informal support from fellow members.”

Community support is a key foundation stone within the overall mental health infrastructure within Scotland, and we were pleased to reflect this as part of our recent Wellbeing Open Day featuring over 30 organisations currently providing key resources, support services, and innovative activities to better support health and wellbeing within the local area – half of which were successful previous recipients of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. Thereby demonstrating the true value and social impact the Fund creates through the accessibility of these projects and services.

Following this, we are pleased to confirm that a further round of the Fund has been announced by Scottish Government. With no current launch date available, we will share more information about this funding opportunity as it becomes available.

Anyone looking for funding or general organisational development support should contact our team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk or phone: 01324 692000.

Funded Projects