Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults 

The Year 6 Small Grants Programme is currently open!

The Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults

Small Grants Programme now open for applications as of Thursday 17th September 2026. Apply for up to £5,000 by Friday 30th October 2026 5pm.

Since 2021, the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has made a significant contribution to the lives of people across Aberdeen City.

For Year 6, ACVO TSI is pleased to continue managing the Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government for Aberdeen City, working with the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Partnership Group to support local third sector organisations to deliver projects and activities that promote good mental health and wellbeing and help prevent and reduce the impact of poor mental health within our communities.

Since the Fund launched in 2021, ACVO TSI has distributed over £3 million of grant funding across the city. These grants – large and small – have supported 314 community-based initiatives that are promoting and improving mental health and wellbeing across Aberdeen.

ACVO TSI is again delighted to be managing the distribution of £167,007 in Year 6 of the Fund across Aberdeen City.

Looking for inspiration? See what we have funded in previous years!

Want to read full details about the Fund? Download the general application guidance below and read through carefully before starting your application.

Download Application Guidance

Small Grants Programme – up to £5,000 available

 

About the Fund

Since 2021, the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has made a significant contribution to the lives of people across Aberdeen City.

More than £3 million has been invested in over 300 local projects, enabling communities to respond to local needs, create connections, reduce isolation and give people greater opportunities to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The Fund has supported ideas that have grown from within communities themselves, helping people build confidence and resilience, strengthen relationships, access activities and support, and tackle some of the inequalities and challenging circumstances that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The Fund focuses on:

  • prevention and early intervention; reducing mental health inequalities;

  • tackling loneliness and social isolation;

  • building resilience and stronger communities; and

  • addressing wider factors that influence mental health and wellbeing.

For Year 6, ACVO TSI is pleased to continue managing the Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government for Aberdeen City, working with the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Partnership Group to support local third sector organisations to deliver projects and activities that promote good mental health and wellbeing and help prevent and reduce the impact of poor mental health within our communities.

Year 6 Funding Available

A total of £167,007 is available for new Year 6 grants in Aberdeen City.

This funding will be distributed through the Year 6 Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Small Grants Programme.

The funding available for new grant awards is lower than in previous years because approximately 70% of the total allocation provided by the Scottish Government for Aberdeen City has been committed to continuing multi-year awards approved in Year 5.

For full information, please download the application guidance.

Year 6 Application Rules

Please make sure you understand these requirements before applying to the Small Grants Programme.

One application only

Each organisation or group can submit one application only to the Year 6 Small Grants Programme.

Maximum grant: £5,000

You can apply for any amount up to £5,000. You do not need to request the full amount.

Capital: maximum £3,000

No more than £3,000 of the total grant can be spent on capital expenditure.

Project length: 12–18 months

Projects should be designed to be completed within 12–18 months.

Multi-Year Funded Organisations

Organisations currently receiving multi-year funding through Year 5 will not be eligible to apply for a new Year 6 grant through this round of the Small Grants Programme.

Funding Timetable

Applications open: Thursday 17th September 2026 at 12noon

Applications close: Friday 30th October 2026 at 5pm

Assessment: November 2026*

Funding decisions: December 2026*

Grants Awarded: January 2027 onwards*

Projects should be completed within 12–18 months.

*Please note that these dates may be subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.

Before You Apply

Before submitting your application, make sure your project:

  • Supports adults aged 16 or over.
  • Supports one or more of Aberdeen City’s Year 6 priority communities.
  • Addresses a clear mental health and wellbeing need.
  • Has a preventative and/or early-intervention focus.
  • Is community-led or informed by the people who will benefit.
  • Has clear and realistic outcomes.
  • Represents good value for money.
  • Complements rather than duplicates existing services.
  • Can be delivered within 12–18 months.

And make sure your application:

  • Is your organisation’s only Year 6 application.
  • Requests no more than £5,000.
  • Includes no more than £3,000 capital expenditure.
  • Meets the national eligibility requirements.
  • Is not being submitted by an organisation currently receiving Year 1 of a Year 5 multi-year award.
Download Application Guidance