Round Three awards in Dumfries and Galloway
This third year of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund was launched in 2023. (Awards listed alphabetically)
A Listening Ear, 2024 Expansion and consolidation – £8,310
The project aims for the organisation’s long-term growth by hiring a Project Manager, increasing Volunteer Coordinator hours, and maintaining funding for the Administrator. Strategies include a media campaign, collaboration with the D&G Dentist’s network, and expanding community links. Key focuses are on high-quality volunteer training, addressing challenges for phone friends impacted by Covid and the cost-of-living crisis, and introducing the “friendly cup” trial for face-to-face befriending. The overarching goal is to support vulnerable individuals, build team resilience, and enhance community engagement.
All Roads Lead to Whithorn, Whithorn Wellbeing Hub – £9,800
This project focuses on community wellbeing for individuals aged 16 and above. Activities include mindfulness, sports, and social classes, with free access to a multi-gym for those in need. Certified instructors lead sessions like yoga and Pilates, addressing mental and physical wellbeing. Regular provision of warm drinks and snacks, occasional meals, and special sessions with artists and musicians contribute to a supportive and engaging environment. The initiative aims to assist those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, fostering relationships and connecting attendees with essential services.
Animals Supporting People at FRED CIC, Animal Therapy for Improved Wellbeing – £6,085
This project offers animal-assisted activity sessions to address social isolation and loneliness. Group sessions (3-10 participants) and individual sessions are available, with an open-access policy to reach those in need. Budget includes transport costs, drinks, snacks, and outerwear to reduce barriers. Activities involve brushing, feeding, and interacting with various animals. Participants decide on activities, fostering a sense of belonging and unconditional value. Multi-generational groups encourage diverse friendships, initially with animals and gradually with others. The project aims to organically develop supportive friendships and positively impact participants’ social and emotional needs.
Annandale Community Transport Services, Transport Overcoming Isolation – £10,000
This project aims to provide 420 minibus hires for community groups, supporting various activities for the elderly and disabled to overcome isolation. Additionally, it includes 40 individual hires for personal needs and 600 hospital journeys. The project offers 60 Travel Club days out for the elderly, driven by trained volunteers, and encompasses driver training and recruitment for a responsive and availability-dependent transport service.
Buittle Quest, Music and Memories – £1,920
The Music and Memories project creates a warm and inviting space for community members to connect and share experiences through live performances of songs from different eras. The sessions, held throughout the year, offer light refreshments and encourage participants to contribute their own memories, music, and stories. Led by a musician/singer/facilitator, the project aims to be inclusive, with a focus on scalability for different-sized venues within the village. Open to all ages, the initiative seeks to strengthen community bonds and provide a platform for meaningful interactions and shared creativity.
Canonbie Community Café, Cafe Furniture – £1,876
This project will provide the café with new tables and chairs to replace the old ones.
Castle Douglas Community Information Technology Centre, Create IT – £9,874
This project will allow the continuation of digital art classes bringing people together in small groups of six to learn how to create art on iPads, providing 36 weeks of classes. Sessions will be delivered in Castle Douglas in the Community Centre which is centrally located for those coming from other areas. Refreshments are provided and full support given at each session. Different artists and drawing styles are explored but people are also encouraged to develop their own styles, if they wish.
Dumfries and Galloway Care Trust, Woodwork Project – £9,720
The project aims to develop a woodwork programme for adults with Learning Disabilities (LDs), autism, and additional support needs, providing positive occupation, skill-building, and fostering integration into society. The initiative involves transforming a storage room into an activity space equipped with tools and resources. Participants will engage in group woodwork activities, gradually increasing their skills and enjoying the satisfaction of creating items from scratch. The project enhances service capacity by conducting sessions within the building, eliminating transportation limitations and allowing more individuals to participate simultaneously.
Christmas lunch for Carers.
Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre, Carer 1st – Wellbeing and Support Groups – £25,000
The project aims to support the estimated 15,000 Carers in the region by establishing a network of free peer support groups. With the cost-of-living crisis impacting Carers, the initiative addresses financial challenges, including reduced working hours and higher utility bills. The goal is to break down barriers and promote inclusivity by offering free groups, ensuring all Carers, regardless of their financial situation, can participate and benefit from the support. All groups are open to Carers aged 16 and above.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group, Hearing Aid Care and Maintenance – £7,971.35.
The project focuses on the care and maintenance of NHS hearing aids, initiated by identifying the need for improved after-service care. Over the years, the organisation has expanded to operate 24 drop-in clinics across the region, providing services by trained volunteers. The recent addition of a service development officer aims to increase service usage and accessibility, with plans to extend clinic hours to evenings and weekends. The primary goal is to deliver quality care and support for individuals with hearing loss, adapting continuously to meet evolving needs.
Dumfries and Galloway ME and Fibromyalgia Network, Wellbeing Activities – £5,745
This project extends two existing wellbeing activities supported by the Fund until March 2025. Craft and Wellbeing Sessions provide members with inclusive, slow-paced craft experiences, addressing health limitations. Monthly sessions include activities like jewellery making and painting. Soup and Sandwich sessions address the cost-of-living crisis, fostering community by sharing meals without financial burden. Monthly sessions across the region cover Dumfries, Stranraer, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Lockerbie, and Annan. Both activities aim to combat isolation and enhance overall wellbeing.
Dumfries Men’s Shed, Men’s Shed Wellbeing Activities – £7,000
The Men’s Shed Wellbeing Activities project aims to deliver a series of activities addressing health, mental health, social isolation, and poverty among members. These include digital connectivity sessions, music sessions, gardening sessions, and Warm Hub Cafe sessions, providing affordable meals and fostering social interactions.
Dumfries YMCA, Included, Confident, Resilient – £35,210
The project’s focus is on engaging the local community through activities like food-sharing events, craft clubs, and a winter hub. Specifically targeting those dealing with mental health, loneliness, and isolation issues, including perinatal moms, the project aims to foster connections, provide affordable food, and offer support services. The overarching goal is to build a resilient and revitalised community by facilitating connections, sharing experiences, and collaboratively discussing solutions within a supportive environment.
Galloway Action Team, Project and Partnership Development – £9,732
The team has two primary functions: working with volunteers furthest from education, employment, and training, and providing services to the community in Stranraer and the surrounding area. The organisation engages volunteers of all genders, offering training and experience in practical skills, such as joinery and gardening, while also enhancing numeracy, literacy, and soft skills. The team provides services such as garden and home maintenance, safety features for young families, and outdoor play equipment for schools. Clients range from housing associations and charities to the local authority, schools, and individual community members.
Glentrool and Bargrennan Community Trust, Glentrool Garden Project – £2,974
The Glentrool Garden Group, reinvigorated following the refurbishment of the Glentrool Hive, is committed to improving biodiversity and community wellbeing. With a focus on sustainability, the group practices wildlife-friendly planting and engages the community in activities that promote physical activity and skill building. Plans include a plant sale to generate sustainable income, the creation of a maze, seating areas and free garden-inspired workshops. The group envisions a vibrant community hub that fosters connection and wellbeing through involvement in a beautiful flower meadow and initiatives such as a butterfly survey.
Independent Living Support, It’s All About You – £48,603
Independent Living Support aims to expand its successful peer-to-peer project, delivering four 12-week courses in Dumfries and Stranraer, each accommodating 10 participants. Led by a mental health worker, the initiative addresses mental health challenges, providing one-to-one care and support for sustained recovery. The project also involves training youth workers to integrate peer-to-peer approaches.
Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust, A community led approach to tackling poverty and inequalities and combatting social inclusion and loneliness in Kirkconnel and Kelloholm – £45,076
The project by the Trust aims to enhance the Community Led Health and Wellbeing Service in the region. It focuses on addressing health needs, combatting food poverty, and tackling social isolation. The plan includes continuing services like the Check and Chat Service and Warm Hub, and seeks funding for a Part-time Support Worker, financial advice, transportation, and additional resources. The goal is to create a sustainable service supporting the wellbeing of vulnerable residents.
KPT Development Trust, Community Yoga and Creativity for Connection and Care – £10,000
The project, “Community Yoga and Creativity for Connection and Care,” integrates yoga, chair yoga, acupressure/shiatsu, and creative workshops to enhance wellbeing in the community. Yoga classes focus on embodiment, mindfulness, and somatic movement, while chair yoga offers accessibility. Acupressure/shiatsu provides therapeutic benefits, especially for those with mobility issues. Creative workshops in a local café, covering nature nurture, self-portraits (Shelfies), and shadow memories, aim to foster community connection, self-expression, and wellbeing. The projects conclude with community exhibitions, celebrating participants’ creations.
Lockerbie Ice Rink, The Lockerbie Ice Rink – £9,994
The Lockerbie Ice Rink project aims to address health inequalities exacerbated by Covid and rising living costs. It focuses on enhancing equipment accessibility (buying new equipment), reducing skate hire costs, and creating an inclusive, multigenerational environment. The project targets issues such as poverty, social isolation, depression, and loneliness, aiming to promote physical activity and overall wellbeing. The project emphasises promoting equality, diversity, mental health awareness, and volunteer engagement.
Lockerbie Squash and Racketball Club, Community Activity and Socialising Sessions – £1,728
The club plans to promote mental and physical wellbeing by offering free squash and racketball coaching sessions to people aged 16 and over. The initiative aims to provide 12 weekly sessions of 3 hours each on two available courts. All necessary equipment, including sports shoes, will be provided. It is hoped that the regular sessions will not only improve skills, but also foster new friendships, making it an engaging and social experience. The club anticipates that a diverse range of participants, including parents and others, will attend and benefit from the sessions.
Massive Outpouring of Love (MOOL), Summer Trips – £2,000
The project aims to organise summer trips and activities for individuals aged 16 and over who have claimed asylum and are currently residing in a Dumfries hotel. With limited access to travel and activities, the project plans to arrange at least four trips to different locations in Dumfries and Galloway and other parts of Scotland. These outings will provide opportunities for exploration, nature experiences, social connections with volunteers, and support in English language learning.
Moniaive Initiative, Glencairn Health and Wellbeing Project – £9,944
In 2024-25, the organisation aims to reach at-risk groups, including women, older individuals, and those with long-term health conditions, with a focus on preventative measures. Initiatives encompass physical activities like a Table Tennis Club and Health Walks, mental wellbeing programmes like Arty Crafty and Repair Café, early interventions for hard-to-reach groups, and a Food Growing project to enhance mental health and address cost-of-living pressures. The overarching goal is to integrate diverse interventions that contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community.
Newstart Recycle, Newstart Recycle – £23,000
This project strives to sustain crucial community services amid challenges, addressing the impact of a lack of recent grants, increased operating costs, and a surge in referrals, particularly for mental health and socio-economic crises. It extends free provisions to include various essential items like disability mobility equipment, winter clothing, school wear, nursery/baby wear, and Christmas decorations. The initiative also focuses on creating employment opportunities for volunteers, establishing new part-time positions, and serving as a hub for mental health and addiction groups. As a trusted community hub, the organisation coordinates engagement and emergency response at various levels, ensuring ongoing services and support for those in need.
Nith Valley Leaf Trust, Wellbeing Programme – £26,850
Nith Valley Leaf Trust has acquired community assets, planning to redevelop a shop into a café and community hub. The project includes wellbeing programmes like adult fitness, sports training, and garden-based activities. A unique addition is the development of a community tree nursery. Initiatives also focus on reducing isolation through a monthly supper club, volunteering programmes, and social evenings.
Springholm Memorial Hall Committee, Springholm Community Hub – £6,970
The project aims to re-establish a central hub for the Springholm community, fostering unity and belonging. By opening the hall as a communal space, it encourages social interaction and addresses the needs of those who felt underserved. The accessible, warm hub provides relief for individuals facing high energy bills and serves as a venue for various events. Winter months will feature gatherings, including bingo, quizzes, and crafts, while regular meet-ups offer free soup, tea, and coffee. The initiative aims to combat isolation, enhance community spirit, and contribute to mental and physical wellbeing throughout the year.
The First Base Agency, First Base Emergency Food Project – £3,600
The project aims to provide immediate support for emergency food needs and proactively address the mental health and wellbeing of recipients by connecting them with relevant services.
The Food Train Ltd, Older People’s Lunch and Pop-Up Café and Development of Head Office Social Space – £35,000
The project is a pilot hot lunch initiative for older members in the Dumfries area, delivering groceries and offering a pop-up café on Thursdays. It addresses nutritional needs, social isolation, and the cost-of-living crisis, employing a part-time cook. The project will cover full-time hours for the cook to enhance volunteer management, café development, and malnutrition screening.
The Mid-Galloway Community Day Centre for Older People at Newton Stewart (The Riverside Centre), Wellbeing and Isolation Making a Positive Difference – £27,635.20
The project focuses on socially isolated older individuals, post-Covid and in rural areas, addressing the cost-of-living crisis. Volunteers, guided by a full-time Coordinator, provide regular home visits, fostering relationships, and addressing wellbeing. Referrals are made for broader issues. The initiative encourages participation in social activities, including cost-price nutritious meals from the Riverside Centre. The project serves as both a service delivery and a pilot for future longer-term services.
Upper Eskdale Development Group, Flourish and Thrive in Eskdalemuir – £25,500
Project aim is to sustain and expand its support services for the remote rural community. The hub, addressing issues like isolation, loneliness, cost-of-living, addiction, and mental health challenges, aims to secure funding for its Operational Development Manager role. The manager will coordinate reduced-cost support meetings, social activities, and workshops to promote positive mental health, prevent issues, and offer a range of community-driven activities. The focus is on enhancing overall wellbeing, reducing isolation, and fostering a sense of community in this remote area.
Wigtownshire Women and Cancer-Wigtownshire, Women and Cancer Premises – £13,100
The project, operating since 2018, is expanding to establish a base in Stranraer for individuals affected by cancer. Seeking funding for premises, the centre will offer peer support, counselling, and various services. With community support and funding from the Health and Social Care Alliance, the project will employ a part-time Volunteer Coordinator and train volunteers to extend services to hospitals and care homes in Wigtownshire.