A message from our Partnership Development Manager, Eloise (pictured):

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on the power of community — not just as a concept, but as something we build and nurture every day.

Community isn’t one-size-fits-all. It could be your family, neighbours, colleagues, faith group, sports club, and much more. It could be the people you volunteer alongside, or those you meet through shared struggles and shared goals. What matters is the connection — and how those connections support our mental health and wellbeing.

Here in the Falkirk District, we’re lucky to have many communities that step up, show up, and look out for one another. From frontline staff to volunteers, from grassroots projects to informal networks, people are quietly making a difference — even when times are tough.

This week, we want to highlight those everyday actions that support and advocate for better mental wellbeing for our communities.

Everyday actions do make a real difference

You don’t need to be working in mental health directly to have a positive impact. Every welcoming word, every safe space you help create, every effort to connect someone who’s isolated — that’s all part of supporting your communities’ wellbeing.

Right now, people are looking for stability, kindness, and places where they feel they belong. Community spaces, local relationships, and volunteering are more important than ever.

So rather than waiting for the “right” conditions or the perfect moment, let’s keep doing what we can, where we are.

Take the initiative – Speak up, share ideas

In difficult times, it’s easy to feel like decisions are being made somewhere else — that we just must keep going and keep the ‘heed’. But this is exactly the time to speak up.

If you see ways things could be better, if you’ve got ideas for how your organisation or partnership could support people’s wellbeing more effectively — share them. Suggest small changes. Start conversations. Sometimes, change begins with someone simply saying, “Have we thought about trying this?”

Being proactive doesn’t mean doing everything or fixing it all — it’s about being willing to gently push forward when something needs to shift.

Look after one another

Third sector work is full of community spirit, but it’s not always easy to maintain this. Many of us are dealing with emotional challenges, rising demand, and fewer resources. That’s why it’s just as important to support the wellbeing of our own teams and volunteers.

Make time to check in with each other. Share what’s hard. Celebrate small wins. Look after your own mental health and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

Stay informed – and help others do the same

In a time when misinformation spreads fast, especially online, we can all benefit from being cautious and curious.

Use reliable, evidence-based sources when talking about mental health.
Help others make sense of what they see online — especially in your communities.
Encourage gentle, informed conversations, rather than jumping to judgement.

Education doesn’t have to be formal — sometimes it’s just knowing when to say, “I’m not sure that’s right — have you seen this resource?”

Connect, learn, and collaborate

One of the strengths of our third sector is how connected we can be when we make the effort. If it’s been a while or you’ve not had a chance to join our Third Sector Forum and/or Networks, why not consider taking time this week to reconnect.

Sharing ideas, learning from each other, and building partnerships helps make the work more sustainable — and less lonely. Together, we can amplify the community voice and create new ways to support people through the challenges they’re facing.

CVS Falkirk & District run several distinct Forums and Networks for third sector staff and volunteers to join, including:

This week – and every week

This Mental Health Awareness Week let’s not underestimate the impact of what we already do — and the potential of what more we can do by being proactive, compassionate, and connected with our communities.

Check in with people.
Take care of your own wellbeing.
Share knowledge and kindness.
Keep speaking up and collaborating.

To keep the conversation going, and detail some ways you can get involved within your community, our Partnership Development Manager, Eloise, has shared the below helpful resources: