Government cash to help battle isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities made worse by the pandemic is set to help Renfrewshire residents over the coming year.
The Scottish Government's Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults has been handed a further £15 million sum to help Scots hit by the unintended effects of the Coronavirus lockdowns.
Launched last October, the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults has helped nearly 2,000 initiatives deliver activities and programme aimed at encouraging those left lonely, isolated or battling mental health difficulties.
A total of 52 Renfrewshire projects have received a boost from the fund, which is managed in the area by charities interface agency Engage Renfrewshire.
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The organisation welcomed the news that a second year of funding has now been confirmed.
Fund Officer Alice McBride said: "We are thrilled to see this fund extended. This year we distributed just over £550,000 to the charitable sector which went directly to groups and organisations with activities and projects that support positive mental health.
"The funded projects range from Erskine to Lochwinnoch and will be taking place throughout this year, with some activities already underway. This week I attended Brick Lane Academy’s Music Café which is a weekly music session, free and open to any member of the community that wishes to come together and share an interest in music.”
The Paisley-based group meet at Brick Lane Academy, every Tuesday at 11am.
Both new and previously awarded groups can benefit from the second round of funding, expected to launch in the summer.
Community groups or organisations are welcome to apply if they have an idea focused on supporting mental health activities in the area.
A wide range of projects around areas as diverse as sport, outdoor initiatives, arts and crafts and nature have received funding, covering a range of interested groups such as older people, those with a long term health conditions or disabilities, people living in rural areas and the LGBT community.
The new investment will allow the fund to continue for another year.
It comes as May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, bolstered by last week's designation as Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: "The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness, and we know the pandemic has brought this issue into much greater focus. The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has supported many projects that help to make people feel less isolated.
“The fund was set up to build and develop capacity within community organisations and grass roots groups so they can support people’s mental health and wellbeing. I am pleased that so many projects benefitted in the first year.
“This investment reflects the importance we place on promoting good mental health and early intervention for those facing mental health challenges - ensuring that people can access a range of different types of support to match their needs.
"It will help us to continue to support a range of valuable community mental health and wellbeing projects across Scotland.”
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