Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – year 4 now open
The Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is back for a fourth year and applications are now open. To apply please register on our funding portal or if you have applied before you can log straight in and use your saved details. Do remember to check your details are still correct and that you input the new project details. Applications can be saved and then completed and submitted at a later date – right up until the closing date of 14th October 2024.
Applications can be for up to £10,000 or £20,000 for consortia bids. Small grants are categorised as being from £500 to £2,000 and will not require as much detail. Funds awarded for year 4 will need to be spend by August 2026.
The Fund is distributed by Third Sector Interfaces (TSI’s) to community groups and organisations and reflects the importance the government places on community support as part of the overall mental health infrastructure and the commitments given by Scottish Ministers to increase direct mental health investment, in both the NHS Recovery Plan and the Programme for Government.
“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 Year 4 on responding to the cost-of-living crisis and on those facing socio-economic disadvantage.” (CMHWB Fund national guidance)
For year four Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (AB TSI) has been allocated £280,979.23 to distribute to third sector and community organisations by the end of March 2025 but we will do this earlier in December 2024. Year four funds will need to be used by the end of August 2026 at the very latest however the government will require some evaluation returns by March 2026.
Key dates and a simplified process
The fund closes at 10am on 14th October 2024. For those wanting to discuss their proposed project you are encouraged to contact your Third Sector Support Adviser by 30th September 2024.
Following feedback and discussion we have made three key changes to the application and evaluation process. The first is to streamline the number of questions. The second is that we have removed the Expression of Interest phase as most groups are now familiar with the fund which leaves more time to support those applicants who need it. Finally, we have removed the need for Third Sector Support Advisers to provide an initial score for each applicant and instead the applications will go straight to the Fund Reference Panel. This means that the fund will be ready to distribute earlier in November and December 2024.
Further fund guidance and details can be found here.
Year three evaluation
The Scottish Government conducts an annual evaluation exercise and this was also published today. Last year there were 75 applicants locally of which 42 received funding so it is important to spend time ensuring your application closely matches the national and local fund priorities as well as clearly evidencing need, local consultation and identifying how you will be making your services inclusive and accessible.
Over the coming weeks we will be publishing more information on the fund process including our updated local plan. We will also republish details of previously successful applicants – it was on our old website and we will need to transfer this across.
Good luck and please do reach out if you have any questions or need support.
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