Communities Health and Wellbeing Fund YEAR 2
Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS) is delighted to launch the second year of the Communities Health and Wellbeing Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government on Monday 17th October 2022. In partnership with a range of local agencies and through the development of a local partnership plan, this Fund will support initiatives that supports adults in the community aged 16 years and above, which promote mental health and wellbeing at a small scale, grass roots, community level throughout Shetland.
The fund will be accessible to groups, no matter how small or inexperienced they are. It can support both new and existing groups or projects. These do not have to have mental health and wellbeing as their main focus, but their application does have to clearly benefit the mental wellbeing of people in their community.
Applications can be accepted from a range of voluntary, ‘not for profit’ organisations, associations, groups and clubs or consortiums/partnerships which have a strong community focus for their activities.
Applications will be accepted from 17th October 2022. A maximum of £5,000 can be applied for to support activities until 31st March 2024.
The overarching aim of the Fund is to support community based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and/or mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population, with a particular focus on:
1. Tackling priority issues within the Transition and Recovery Plan such as suicide prevention, social isolation and loneliness, prevention and early intervention
2. Addressing the mental health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and the needs of a range of ‘at risk’ groups locally
3. Supporting small ‘grass roots’ community groups and organisations to deliver such activities
4. Providing opportunities for people to connect with each other, build trusted relationships and revitalise communities
5. Supporting recovery and creativity locally by building on what is already there, what was achieved through the pandemic, and by investing in creative solutions
Lynn Tulloch, Executive Officer of Voluntary Action Shetland said “Voluntary Action Shetland, Shetland’s Third Sector Interface is delighted to be hosting this funding for a second year on behalf of the Scottish Government. VAS will be the lead funding partner to work collaboratively with other local partners in Shetland, to distribute the Fund locally in line with the fund aims, priorities and criteria, in keeping with local strategies and priorities.
Voluntary Action Shetland is planning to provide some information sessions about the fund in November. Keep an eye out for these dates through Voluntary Action Shetland’s social media channels.
For an application pack and for any initial enquiries please:
E-mail: vas@shetland.org
Telephone: Market House Reception 01595 743900
