The third round of a fund to support community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing in Dumfries and Galloway is open for applications.
The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has distributed about £36 million to community initiatives across Scotland.
This year, the total available in the region is £440,217 and is open to projects supporting those aged 16 and over.
The fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention and aims to support grass roots community groups in tackling mental health inequalities and address priority issues of social isolation and loneliness, suicide prevention, and tackling poverty and inequality.
There will be a continued emphasis in round three on responding to the cost-of-living crisis and on those facing socio-economic disadvantage.
Applications can be accepted from a range of third sector organisations and funding can support both new and existing groups or projects.
Funded organisations do not need to have to have mental health and wellbeing as their sole focus, but, as this is the purpose of this fund, their application does have to clearly outline how it benefits the mental health and wellbeing of people in their community.
The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 23rd October. Small grants are available up to £10,000 and main grants to a maximum of £50,000 and projects can last no longer than 12 months.
A scoring panel will meet in November to make decisions on the allocation of funding. The fund will be distributed by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) to community groups and organisations.
Norma Austin Hart, Chief Executive Officer, of TSDG said: “This fund has benefitted many groups and communities over the last two years. Previous projects were based on local needs and circumstances, which means the funding has been used effectively. We hope the practice will continue in this round as we open applications across the south of Scotland.”
David Rowland, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership’s Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation, added: “The Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is now well established as a highly effective means to help address the challenge of mental health inequalities at a grassroots level.
“The past two rounds of funding have seen many community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations within our region able to access this financial support, helping them to advance work addressing issues including social isolation and loneliness.
“Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Partnership recognises that so many third sector organisations have the knowledge and the relationships to deliver very effectively in these areas, and hope that many more will be able to access the opportunity for support presented by this third round of funding.”
Caption: Sanquhar Enterprise Company was funded in round two to allow Upper Nithsdale Walking Group to hold organised walks and day trips.