Forty-one community projects across Dumfries and Galloway are sharing £440,157 to help tackle mental health and wellbeing.
The successful applicants to the fourth round of the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund were selected through an independent scoring panel.
The fund had received 110 applications asking for over £1.9million of support.
Its ambition is to support initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing at a small scale, grass roots, community level to those aged 16 and over.
The priorities in Dumfries and Galloway were social isolation and loneliness; suicide prevention; and poverty and inequality, with a particular emphasis on responding to the cost-of-living crisis and support to those facing socio-economic disadvantage.
The fund in the south of Scotland was administered again by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG).
Alan Webb, TSDG’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This latest round of funding demonstrates the range of local, community-led work that helps improve mental health and wellbeing across Dumfries and Galloway and I’m delighted again that we have been able to manage this investment across our region on behalf of the Scottish Government.
“This round brings the total investment in local organisations to just over £2.6million over all four rounds. We also look forward to bringing a further round of investment to the area in the next financial year.”
One of the successful organisations was Animals Supporting People at FRED with £9,127 for their Animal Therapy for Health and Wellbeing project.
Iraina McGroarty, from the organisation, said: “This funding will enable us to offer group and one-to-one sessions of animal assisted therapy to adults experiencing a hard time. The donkeys and other animals at FRED provide unconditional love and companionship, which reduces feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression.”
Newton Stewart Initiative was also given funding of £4,726 for Happy Daze, a reminiscence group for over-60s in the area connecting with young people.
Lindsay Banks, Project Support Worker, said: “Collaboration with the local high school and Dumfries and Galloway Youthwork has seen meals and beverages provided and served by local school people allowing both generations to mix and engage freely.
“The funding will support our group in sharing our memories to a larger audience in the form of presentations and photos on the high street as well as continuing to nurture the relationships we are building with the younger ones.”
An award of £7,917 went to Solway Disability Support to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to attend disability sports clubs, including as football, boccia, swimming, badminton, and curling.
Manager Tammy McColm said: “These activities boost their mental and physical wellbeing enormously, as some of our clients do not have opportunities to take part in sport or mix with their peers otherwise. We notice marked differences in their behaviour, particularly in those with challenging behaviours and this carries forward into their home lives, giving their parents some respite from difficult behaviour.
“Seeing the smiles and laughter during and after the sporting activities is the best reward we could ask for. Many are physically fitter, which helps them to enjoy other activities more readily too.”
Kate’s Kitchen received £19,500 to help employ a chef for its community cafe.
Manager Helen McAnespie said: “This will allow us to support more people in the local community and will help create a welcoming cafe that will be open more for the local people of Annan and surrounding areas.”
Propagate’s Dumfries and Galloway Community Food Network will be strengthened with £9,950
Abi Mordin from the organisation said: “Community food organisations like growing projects and food sharing initiatives are crucial to making sure everyone has equal access to healthy food. The Network provides support and creates connections between those projects, increases volunteer involvement, and acts a collective voice in influence and policy spaces.”
Isle Futures will use £9,989 to expand on the Isle Buddies, offering transport for community meetups, arts and crafts, workshops, and a men’s social group. It will also enhance a café for bereavement support and provide a monthly lunch club for older and disabled residents.
Andrea Deschamps, Business Manager, said: “The Isle of Whithorn is a beautiful, small costal community but we are very isolated with an aging population, underneath the beauty it can be tough here. The area has high social isolation, limited access to public transport and with a lot of unpaid carers looking after loved ones and neighbours with little respite.
“The funding is giving us the opportunity to put together activities that everyone can attend either within the village or an organised activity away from the village. Isle be There is a collection of initiatives and activities but with one big aim, to alleviate the impact on our community’s mental health from social and geographical isolation and loneliness without the worry of cost on already stretched budgets.”
For a full list of the successful applications, go to: www.tsdg.org.uk/cmhwf/r4/
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