A new Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has been established with £15 million allocated to support mental health and well-being in communities across Scotland this year as part of a £120m investment plan.  The Scottish Government has made the decision to appoint Third Sector Interfaces to allocate the fund.

Applications are now being accepted so submit your Expression of Interest (Form 1) by January 10th 2022 at 10am and a Full Application (Form 2) by January 24th 2022 at 10am.

TSI staff are able to help you at each stage of the application so if you have any questions you wish to discuss please drop us an email on info@argylltsi.org.uk
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The Fund in Argyll and Bute  

We have been allocated £285,284.40 to distribute amongst the third sector in Argyll & Bute by the end of March 2022. 
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We will support local, grassroot community activity that meets the overarching national ambitions for the fund and the local priority areas. 

There are 2 types of grant, a small grant fund for bids £500 to £5,000, and a large grant fund for bids £5,001 to £50,000. Given the need to ensure access to funds across Argyll and Bute there will obviously be fewer larger grants.  The performance monitoring and evaluation for larger grants will also be more stringent, however the general approach to this fund is to reduce the administrative burden on applicants and grantees as much as possible.
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The grants are for time-bound activities and projects which need to begin prior to March 31, 2022 and will be intended to benefit those aged 16 plus.
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We held an information session on Monday the 15th of November to give applicants the opportunity to view and understand the government guidance and help shape the local beneficiaries of the fund. To view the recording of the meeting, click here
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Read the how to apply section in the guidance document to begin your application.
Background: 
The Fund will provide £15 million in 2021-22 and funding will also be made available in 2022-23 (subject to parliamentary approval of the budget) to support mental health and well-being in communities across Scotland. It will be distributed by Third Sector Interfaces to small, grass roots, community groups and organisations following an application process. This recurring funding reflects the importance that we place on community support in this area and the commitments given by Scottish Ministers to increase direct mental health investment, in both the NHS Recovery Plan and this year’s Programme for Government. 

 Purpose of Funding and local priorities: 
 The overarching aim of the Fund is to support community based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population. It will have a particular focus on:  

  • Tackling key issues within the Transition and Recovery Plan such as suicide prevention, social isolation and loneliness, with a focus on prevention and early intervention  
  • Addressing the mental health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and the needs of a range of ‘at risk’ groups:  women (particularly young women); people with a long term health condition or disability; those who are or have been on the highest risk (previously shielding) list; people from a BAME background; refugees and those with no recourse to public funds; people facing socio-economic disadvantage; people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage; people with experience of trauma; people who have experienced bereavement or loss; people disadvantaged by geographical location (particularly remote and rural areas); older people; and LGBTI communities   
  • Supporting small grass roots community groups and organisations (i.e. voluntary or community organisations; registered charities; groups or clubs; not-for-profit companies or Community Interest Companies, and community councils) to deliver such activities, thus providing opportunities for people to connect and revitalise communities.
  • Developing trusted relationships within communities and building on communities’ own efforts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and on the examples of good practice and innovation which have emerged. 
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Funding decisions will be made on the merits of each application taking into account both national and local priorities.  The key factor for the fund reference group in coming to their decision will be the impact each project seeks to make. Following local consultation, five local priorities have been identified to help guide decision making on applications:
 
1.      Reducing and preventing mental ill health – with a focus on prevention and early   intervention
2.      Tackling social isolation and issues faced by rurality
3.      Addressing inequalities following the pandemic – poverty, trauma, supporting unpaid carers and suicide prevention
4.      Promoting community wellbeing and increase local connectivity and resilience
5.      Helping disadvantaged young people make positive changes in their lives.