Year 7 funding confirmed for community mental health and wellbeing
We are delighted to welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement of a further £15 million investment in the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults in 2027–28.
The national fund supports grassroots organisations delivering community-led projects that tackle social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities through prevention and early intervention.
Since the fund began in 2021, more than £2.1 million has been invested across Argyll and Bute through 219 funding awards. Projects have ranged from counselling, suicide prevention and carer support to befriending, community transport, creative activities, exercise groups, food projects and welcoming spaces where people can connect.
The early confirmation of Year 7 is particularly welcome because it gives third sector organisations greater security and more time to plan. It also demonstrates the value of longer-term funding, allowing projects to develop sustainable services, retain staff and volunteers, build relationships and respond more effectively to the needs of their communities.
The announcement comes as the second year of funding is distributed to the 44 organisations supported through the Year 5 and 6 pilot in Argyll and Bute. Together, these organisations have received a share of more than £620,000 to support projects across the region.
The two-year pilot marked an important move away from short-term, year-to-year funding. It provided recipients with greater certainty and the opportunity to plan their work over a longer period—something we hope other funders will continue to recognise and adopt.
Year 7 is expected to open for applications by September 2027. Existing Year 5 and 6 recipients will have the opportunity to apply for continuation funding, while applications from new organisations and projects will also be actively encouraged.
Further information, including Argyll and Bute’s allocation, eligibility criteria, application guidance and key dates, will be shared when available.
In the meantime, we are delighted to celebrate this continued national investment in grassroots mental health and wellbeing support, and the enormous contribution local third sector organisations make to healthier, more connected communities across Argyll and Bute.