Round Three awards in the Scottish Borders
The third year of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund was launched in 2023. (Awards listed alphabetically).
Allanbank Arts, Berwickshire Community Arts and Information Project – £5,630
The project involves hosting a series of art workshops in community settings across 8 identified rural locations for adults. The goal is to decrease isolation through social activity, boost confidence, reduce stress and anxiety through creative engagement, and strengthen existing networks.
Borders Additional Needs Group, ASN Peer Hubs Parents – £26,774.43.
This project empowers ASN (Additional Support Needs) carers by enhancing CV skills, fostering new abilities, and providing training for better employment opportunities. For parents, it focuses on improving communication, support, and access to information based on lived experiences. The aim is to understand and support ASN parent carers better, offering low-level peer support to enhance emotional wellbeing. The project builds regional representation, improves support access, and reduces the need for higher-level mental health interventions by fostering connections within the community, emphasizing self-management through peer support.
Borders Disability Sport, Physical Activity Intervention for Adults with Disability – £45,413
This project aims to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of adults with disabilities and their parents/guardians in the Scottish Borders. By leveraging the Live Borders Health and Exercise Referral Programme, the project seeks to provide access to physical activity, reduce social isolation, and alleviate financial strain during times of elevated living costs. The initiative plans to offer 120 fully funded Exercise Referral Memberships, providing year-long, unlimited access to Live Borders gyms, swimming pools, and fitness classes for eligible individuals.
Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau, CAB Wellbeing Project – £9,867.64 + £800.10 additional award.
This service is tailored for individuals with poor mental health, aiming to enhance engagement, provide support throughout the advice journey, and ultimately improve advice and mental health outcomes. Given the current cost-of-living crisis, there is a special emphasis on prioritizing this service to address potential exacerbations of poverty, debt, and crisis situations. The focus is on offering practical support to 150 individuals in crisis, including advice, income maximization, and access to support services, all delivered with compassion.
Clubsport Borders, Headstrong – Evolution – £15,500
The second phase of the Headstrong project focuses on improving mental health, wellbeing, and suicide prevention awareness across all levels of local sports clubs. The initiative includes strengthening the tutor workforce through training workshops and aims to target 20 additional clubs within a 12-month period. The project collaborates with clubs to promote good mental health among players, volunteers, and coaches.
Duns Senior Citizens Club, Summer Trip to Eyemouth + Meal – £600
The aim of the project is to take members of the Duns Senior Citizens Club on a coach trip to enjoy a sociable meal at Eyemouth Golf Club.
Gavinton Village Hall Association, Gavinton Village Hall Hearing Loop & Caster – £4,387.50.
The project aims to purchase a casting box that would allow users to cast their films or presentations wirelessly, including tablet users such as iPads who currently have no way of accessing the equipment. Additionally, a hearing loop system will be installed to cater to individuals with mild to moderate, and potentially more severe, hearing loss.
Greener Peebles, Greener Wellbeing – £25,520
The Greener Wellbeing project is an intergenerational grassroots initiative aiming to reduce mental health problems. Through engaging outdoor activities and skills development, the project brings people together to build self-esteem and empower individuals to reach their full potential. An online Greener Wellbeing banner will be established to promote the benefits of participation, fostering understanding and awareness of how engagement supports empowerment and self-care.
Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn Parish Church of Scotland, 3 Communities Craft and Chat – £5,600
This project is offering free wellbeing craft classes in local small towns. It aims to support older people living in rural, isolated areas with low incomes, poor housing, and few amenities, who are experiencing challenges in mental, physical, and social health. The classes conclude with refreshments, providing an opportunity for participants to socialize, chat, and make friends.
Interest Link Borders, New Learning Disabilities Groups 2024 – £8,965
The project comprises three fortnightly befriending groups for people with learning disabilities and autism aged 18+.
Leitholm, Eccles and Birgham Community Council, Let’s Move! – £2,709
This project aims to expand the variety of physical activity offerings, including Pilates, soft ball tennis, walking football, bean bag rounders, carpet bowls, and table tennis for those with more energy. Each activity is inclusive and provides opportunities for social interaction, accompanied by refreshments.
LGBT Youth Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland – Scottish Borders – £31,300
This project supports LGBTQ+ youth (16-25) in the Scottish Borders, focusing on enhancing mental wellbeing and reducing isolation through specialized youth services. It encompasses 50 additional 1:1 coaching sessions, reinforces the weekly youth group (Involved), and conducts targeted workshops on emotional resilience and coping skills. The goal is to foster positive community connections, encourage participation in events, and assist young people in building a supportive community, thereby reducing isolation and experiencing the benefits of connecting with others.
Nature Unlimited CIC, Connect in Nature – £8,998
This pilot project addresses social disconnection for individuals with addiction or mental health issues who find it challenging to attend regular wellbeing groups due to anxiety or social isolation. It includes three taster sessions, a twelve-week wellbeing programme, and three follow-up sessions, all conducted in a therapeutic woodland setting. Participants engage in practical tasks, fostering positive social connections with support from staff and peers.
Nature Unlimited CIC, Thrive in Nature – £20,088
This project combines successful elements from two prior wellbeing programmes to support adults at risk of mental health decline due to factors like unemployment, retirement, caregiving, or health issues. The forty-week program takes place in a therapeutic woodland setting with skilled sessional workers trained in various techniques. Beneficiaries engage in practical tasks, social interactions, and receive one-to-one/group support to prevent social isolation. They learn and practice wellbeing activities during each weekly session.
Nomad Beat, Recollective – £4,954.56.
Recollective is an inclusive choir group designed for individuals living with dementia and other life-altering conditions, along with their carers. Leveraging the therapeutic benefits of group music-making, the project aims to enhance the quality of life for participants. The specific goals include reducing feelings of isolation, depression, and stress, while improving inclusion, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement through musical progression. Operating within the Luminate Dementia-Inclusive Singing Network, the project is conducted in collaboration with Dementia-Friendly Tweeddale, providing referrals and trained helpers, and Friends of Dovecot Court, responsible for the venue.
Outside the Box Development Support Ltd, Borders Queer Chosen Families – £17,049
This LGBTQ+ project for individuals aged 16 and above establishes a safe space for ‘chosen’ families beyond biological ties. It assists in setting up the Borders Queer Chosen Families group with flexible meetings and a focus on self-sustainability. The initiative provides training on community group management and peer support. Planned events cover self-advocacy, LGBTQ+-informed advice, Mental Health First Aid, arts & crafts, and talks by local LGBTQ+ artists to promote social inclusion and wellbeing.
Parent Space (SCIO), Getting it Right for Every Parent – £9,996
Parent Space offers support to parents and carers of children from birth to adolescence. We support parents as they face varied challenges such as rural isolation, poor supporting networks, childhood trauma, neurodivergence, mental health health issues, or difficulty transitioning into work after having children. This project delivers eight parent courses, each comprising 4 to 8 weekly sessions, with each session lasting two hours.
Peebles Old Parish Church of Scotland, Grand Hands, Hearts and Minds – £7,200
The project is a continuation of the ‘Grand Hands’ initiative launched post-pandemic. It aims to reintegrate vulnerable senior citizens, particularly those dealing with dementia, isolation, poverty, and physical/mental health issues, back into the community. The project offers a year of free crafting classes in care homes and sheltered housing venues. Crafting serves as a wellbeing aid, promoting dexterity, mental health, and relaxation. It is adaptable to all levels of ability, making it suitable for individuals living with dementia and their families.
PND Borders, Funding for Counsellor – £14,560
Led by a Therapeutic Services Manager, this service coordinates referrals and schedules appointments for mothers with Counsellors. Providing one-to-one therapeutic support, the counselling sessions address issues, emotions, and relationships, aiming to enhance self-understanding and solutions. Additionally, the manager offers art therapy to promote insight, self-compassion, and self-worth, fostering improved social, emotional, and mental health.
Quarriers, Quarriers ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ – Supporting emotional wellbeing of rugby club players aged 16+, across the Scottish Borders – £36,429
The Breaking Down Barriers project will extend its support beyond young players and now include adult players aged 16-40 to address mental health and wellbeing. The expansion targets eight additional adult rugby clubs in 2024/25, collaborating with community partners like the Borders Live Headstrong Project to maximize impact. The initiative continues its commitment to promoting mental health awareness and wellbeing within the rugby community, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for players of all ages.
Recovery Coaching Scotland CIC Recovery Coaching, Self-Coaching – Additional Support for Learning Group-£17,339
Project includes a 12-month Peer Development Programme in the Scottish Borders, featuring quarterly cohorts of up to 8 learners. The focus is on providing additional support for learning individuals, helping them gain a Self-Coaching qualification. This Ten-session Recovery Self-Management course includes interactive sessions, short assessments, and leads to a certificate in Self Coaching. Ideal for those in recovery, it serves as a foundation for transitioning into recovery volunteering or peer mentoring. Sessions are dynamic, lasting 3-4 hours, fostering a supportive and enjoyable learning environment.