Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults Year 3 – Monitoring and Reporting Summary

Annex A: Project Examples - by target group and priority issues.

This Annex provides a selection of examples of projects which include a focus on the Fund's identified themes and at risk target groups, as well as examples of other at risk groups identified locally.

Project examples by target group.

Women (particularly young women, and women and young women affected by gender-based sexual violence).

Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis: This project offers a protected space for survivors of sexual violence and providies an online support group facilitated by workers from Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis as well as offering a safe and secure weekly drop in facility with access to informal support either offered by a professional practitioner or others with lived experience.

People with a long-term health condition or disability.

Dates-n-Mates: This project facilitates a regular programme of social events and opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in a variety of "mainstream" venues in their local community in Aberdeenshire. All events provide an inclusive, accessible, and fun environment for adults with a learning disability to develop meaningful connections with other people and enhance their wellbeing. Alongside their social events, there are interactive workshops on a variety of meaningful topics to enhance their members' knowledge, confidence, and wellbeing.

People from a Minority Ethnic background.

Awaz the Voice of the Community: This Project supports 100 Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) elderly women who are suffering from depression due to isolation and loneliness exacerbated by Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. It brings them together to share any concerns and improve their health and wellbeing by providing weekly yoga, keep fit and healthy cooking classes at a local church hall in Pollokshields. There are also monthly outdoor trips and information sessions.

Refugees and those with no recourse to public funds.

Wasps: This project is a development of Inverness Open Hearts specifically targeted at reaching refugees and asylum seekers in Inverness to improve mental wellbeing, social confidence, English language skills and long-term integration. Open Hearts is an inclusive, person-centred creative arts studio which improves wellbeing and community connections.

People facing socio-economic disadvantage.

Make and Create Arts: This Creative Youth Group supports young people aged 16 and over in North Lanarkshire who are facing socio-economic disadvantage. It provides a safe and warm space where participants can build supportive and trusted relationships, relax, and talk to one another. The Organised Activity Corner hosts guest tutors each week and runs creative projects with the participants, including sewing, knitting, drawing, origami, music, and more.

People experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage.

Ceartas and East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau - A Bite and A Blether (B&B): This project is a peer-support group offering a relaxed, informal setting where people meet over lunch to access support and meet others within their community. B&B prioritises individuals who identify as living with poor mental health, long-term conditions or social isolation. It targets those considered vulnerable or 'at risk', and those facing severe and multiple disadvantage.

People with diagnosed mental illness.

Threads of Resilience - Forth Valley College (FVC): This project is piloting an approach to support individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions to continue their creative learning and transition from a hospital-based setting into a campus environment at FVC's Stirling Campus. Running over a 10-week period, the project works with up to 10 individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions who currently attend the Art Space project run by Artlink Central. Artspace is Artlink Centrals' dedicated arts programme working with adult participants with diagnosed mental health problems across Stirling.

People affected by psychological trauma (including adverse childhood experiences).

Showcase the Street: This project in Dundee reaches out to mothers who have recently given birth and may be contending with social isolation, as well as experiencing a decline in overall wellbeing and mental health. These challenges could stem from mental health disorders, psychological trauma during the pre- and post-natal periods, economic hardships, or geographical disadvantages. Participating in group physical activities with other new mothers creates a supportive network, promoting emotional wellbeing and reducing feelings of isolation.

People who have experienced bereavement or loss.

Compassionate Inverclyde: This project targets lone parents, carers and those impacted by loss and bereavement. It provides a creative wellbeing package allowing individuals to develop good mental health and wellbeing in a compassionate, safe and inclusive space. The unique, evidence-based package addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health and wellbeing.

People disadvantaged by geographical location (particularly remote and rural areas).

Braemar Care: This project matches a pool of volunteers with elderly and isolated service users in the community of Braemar. Due to their geographical location, access to public transport is very limited and inadequate for someone over 75 years old. When the service users are issued an appointment in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Woodend, Banchory or Aboyne, a volunteer transports them to their appointment.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and Intersex (LGBTQI+) communities

LEAP Sports Scotland: This project at the Rainbow Activity Hub aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and other diversely identifying (LGBTIQ+) people from across North Ayrshire. The project uses physical activity, outdoor pursuits, and sport as a tool for building and developing the LGBTIQ+ community, building connections and reducing social isolation. Project activity is open to all LGBTIQ+ people 16+ years of age, and specifically aims to reach those who are more isolated.

Project examples focusing on the Fund's identified priority issues.

Social Isolation and Loneliness.

Inverurie Community Partnership: This volunteer-led project provides a range of activities in an inclusive, warm, safe place where people can come together to reduce social isolation and loneliness and improve mental health and wellbeing. A range of activities have been identified which fit within NHS Five Steps to mental wellbeing and includes group activities, social events and drop in sessions, seated exercises, art and craft groups, creative writing, mindfulness sessions and wellbeing talks.

Prevention and Early Intervention.

Three towns & district community shed: This project aims to tackle issues such as suicide prevention and social isolation and loneliness in North Ayrshire. Addressing the mental health inequalities made worse by the pandemic and the needs of a range of groups locally, it provides opportunities for people to connect with each other, build trusted relationships and revitalise communities.

Addressing Poverty and inequality / Cost of Living.

West Lothian African Women's Network: This project offers support for lone BAME mothers with no recourse to public funds status. Not being able to afford the essentials of life can be very stressful and robs women of their dignity and self-worth. Attendees will be offered support sessions to help with relationships, confidence building and cost of living crises management also covers cooking healthy meals on a budget. Attendees are signposted to other supports and are able to share lived experience with people in same situation.

Other themes (identified locally)

Sauchie Community Group: Sauchie in Clackmannanshire has some of the highest levels of social deprivation in Scotland. Poverty continues to be one of the main causes of poor health and social isolation, and greatly impacts on the mental health of those with the lowest incomes. Sauchie Community Group iaims to reduce loneliness and social isolation through activities and local community events.

Sports

Aberdeen F.C. Community Trust: This project targets those affected by dementia, social isolation, loneliness, mental health issues and other conditions. It offers a fully inclusive programme, with "something for all" such as memories sessions, football sessions at Pittodrie and Balmoral Stadium, golf and cricket, as well as regular social history and music sessions.

Arts and Culture

Sufi Festival: This project provides a programme of accessible and community oriented participatory arts activities, to promote engagement in minority arts and culture (Islamic, contemporary and heritage) and develop local talent with respect to ethnic minority arts practice and community wellbeing. The programme is delivered in the Southside of Glasgow for age 16+ and is free to access.