The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has been awarded a further £15 million across Scotland for 2024-25
Launched in 2021, the fund for adults has supported grass roots community groups to deliver programmes for adults which build resilience and tackle social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities. Projects focused on connecting people and providing peer support were delivered through activities such as sport, outdoor activities and the arts.
Within Aberdeen, more than 200 local projects have received a share of the funding pot made available for the city, which to date tallies at over £1.5 million.
Distributed locally by ACVO, the initiative has made a huge positive impact across the city with organisations such as Greyhope Bay, Befriend a Child, shmu, Four Pillars and many more receiving support for their vital work.
About the announcement, First Minister Humza Yousaf, said:
“On becoming First Minister I reiterated my personal commitment to supporting those living with mental health challenges. We know how important it is for our society to have access to mental health and wellbeing support. That is why my government is committed to ensuring we fund vital services in our health service and in community settings to ensure we try, as much as possible, to provide a national network of community support for adults, children and young people.
“This further commitment of funding for community based projects which are focused on prevention and early intervention, is a significant step forward in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing by making sure they can easily access the help they need, when and where they need it.
“Since 2020 the Scottish Government has invested over £100 million in community-based mental health support. An independent evaluation published last year shows that projects for adults have lowered social isolation thereby alleviating some of the negative mental and physical health impacts from the pandemic, as well as providing support and self-help for individuals with ill mental health issues.
A further announcement will follow from ACVO later in the year when applications are open for year 4 of the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund locally.
A full breakdown of the projects funded in Aberdeen during years 1 -3 of the fund can be found at acvo.org.uk/cmhwfund.
