By EVOC Comms
This week the Scottish Government announced that the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund will fund projects to support mental health and address social isolation and loneliness in adults for a third year.
In years 1 and 2 of just under 220 grants were awarded to group and organisations across Edinburgh, enabling people in the City to access more projects and activities designed to support good mental health and wellbeing, in the communities where they live and work. [Read more…]
By EVOC Comms
The second year of the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in Edinburgh has awarded grants to 98 community and voluntary organisations across the city, totalling £1.28 million.
This investment will enable people in Edinburgh to access more projects and activities designed to support good mental health and wellbeing, in the communities where they live and work. It offers continuing support to some of the projects established through the first year of the Fund in 2022, as well as investing in a number of new ones. Programmes being funded include a conversation cafes; canine therapy sessions; 1-to-1 support; group therapy sessions; a community pantry; gardening and woodwork workshops and a range of other outdoor activities.
By EVOC Comms
As a member of The Third Sector Interface Scotland Network we have joined our colleagues at SCVO and written to Natalie Don MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, to raise concerns about the administration of the Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learning Third Sector Fund (CYPFAL TSF), and its predecessor funds, the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention (CYPFEI) Fund and the Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (ALEC) Fund.
The letter is signed by Anna Fowlie (SCVO), Anthea Coulter (Clacks TSI), Lesley Kelly (Midlothian Voluntary Action), and Bridie Ashrowan (EVOC).
By EVOC Comms
This week SCVO, The Third Sector Employability Forum and The Third Sector Interface Scotland Network sent an open letter to Ms Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government to raise concerns about the delays in communicating the outcomes of the Investing in Communities Fund (ICF)
The letter, signed by Anna Fowlie (SCVO), Anthea Coulter (Clacks TSI), Lesley Kelly (Midlothian Voluntary Action), Bridie Ashrowan (EVOC), and Pegs Bailey (TSEF), outlines the concerns these organisations hold and the steps that need to be taken to address the slippage in decision-making.
By EVOC Comms
Please Note: Submissions have now closed.
We are delighted to announce that Year 2 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW) Fund in Edinburgh is officially open.
There is £1.252m on offer for the second year of the Fund, which was created by Scottish Government to invest in local, grass-roots activities that support people’s mental health and wellbeing in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
By EVOC Comms
In the run up to the launch of Year 2 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW) Fund we invited organisations to a presentation and discussion on the draft partnership plan.
Whilst some elements are set out by Scottish Government, the plan is also informed by the lessons learnt from Year 1 and reflect Edinburgh’s unique Community Commissioning approach.
By EVOC Comms
The Scottish Government has made funding available to local authorities for the targeted provision of a Summer 2022 Holiday Programme offering coordinated access to activities, childcare and food for children aged 5-14 from low-income families.
In line with the Scottish Government Guidance, Edinburgh’s allocation of funding will build on existing provision, planned, and delivered by Council Services and Partner Organisations. This will include activities such as Physical Activity & Sport, Outdoor Learning, Arts, Creative, Culture & Heritage, Youth & Children’s Work and work for early years as well as for children with disabilities and additional support needs.
The allocation of funding to Edinburgh is reduced by just over 40% from last year, and a high number of submissions are expected. It is therefore unlikely that all all proposals will be funded. City of Edinburgh is therefore inviting proposals which clearly demonstrate the impact for those in the targeted groups. The Scottish Government has also made a number of changes to the criteria for the fund this year, so please take time to view the Guidance.
Organisations and council services may submit a proposal for the funding of one programme, for a minimum of £500, up to a maximum cost of £20,000.
By EVOC Comms
EVOC warmly welcomes the Scottish Government’s announcement of £15 million for a second year of investment in mental health and wellbeing investment in communities across Scotland.
Bridie Ashrown, EVOC Chief Executive commented:
‘We are delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the value of supporting mental health at the heart of Scotland’s local communities by confirming a second year of mental health and wellbeing funding. We look forward to researching the impact of and developing the community commissioning approach created in Edinburgh for the first year of this investment programme (people with lived experience, communities of place and communities of interest) and making sure that even more people get the support they need, when they need it, where they need it… and early enough for it to help them have more ‘better days’ in life.’
By EVOC Comms
On Tue 19 Apr Dr Linda Irvine-Fitzpatrick took a paper to the Integration Joint Board (IJB) that agreed a further two year extension to the current IJB Grant Programme (to 31 March 2025).
Over the course of the next two years EVOC and Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership will be developing the More Good Days Public Social Partnership (PSP) which will enact the great work which has been going on with local organisations through the Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact. This will build upon learning from our ‘Learning by Doing’ Community Commissioning approach used to distribute the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Edinburgh as well as a range of other initiatives and opportunities.
By EVOC Comms
We are delighted to announce that more than 120 community and voluntary organisations are to benefit from grants totalling £1.32 million from the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in Edinburgh. This investment will support a wide range of projects and enable people across the City to access additional mental health and wellbeing support in their communities. Programmes being funded include activity-based canal boat trips; befriending services; art therapy sessions; community garden growing workshops; 1 to 1 mentoring with childcare; outdoor programmes for families; local pantries and counselling.
A full list of groups and organisations awarded grants is available here.
