Next week, we’ll open the Expression of Interest form for the fourth year of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Continuing in the series of success stories from the previous funding round, here are more examples of what community organisations have achieved with these grants.
These stories are here to show the range of projects supported by this funding and shine a light on the amazing community work we have in our region.
We’re so pleased to be distributing this funding throughout Perth and Kinross on behalf of the Scottish Government in 2024-2025.
Checkin-Giraffe
Checkin-Giraffe have supported a diverse programme of activities and awards for members of the Perth and Kinross community who face social barriers:
‘We are currently finishing up our Heritage Hero Award programme. On this award, we have been looking at the Romans in Perthshire and have been working with a local archaeologist to help us, we’ve hired Roman reenactors to meet us on site, undertaken photogrammetry 3d modelling exercises and are working on an easy-read guidebook.’
Creative Catalyst
Creative Catalyst has been able to expand their services for young people by bringing in a trauma-informed counsellor and mentor. In turn, this opportunity has increased their understanding of the support young people need:
‘This way of working has informed us that we need to build this support into our team as a longer-term goal, to enable young people to understand and address some of the reasons they are struggling to move on.’
Deaf Links
Deaf Links has delivered 181 Mental Health advocacy sessions with support from this funding. These sessions have had a tremendous impact for the Deaf community:
- 84% of participants feel an improvement to their mental health and wellbeing
- 74% of participants feel less isolated
- 71% of participants feel more resilient and in control of their lives
Richmond Community
Richmond Community has delivered a popular programme of Health Walks across Perth and Kinross:
‘Our Health walks on tour are still a huge success with coaches almost full every month. We have organised for trips to Scone Palace, Callander, Dunkeld, Callander House, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry and Loch Leven so far this year. Our weekly Health Walks have new walkers attending weekly with 60 people now on our register.’
- “Everyone is so happy and helpful at group, I look forward to a Thursday every week.”
- “I wish I had attended groups like this before my husband passed away, I didn’t realise how enjoyable these group would be. I’m meeting new people all the time.”