Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Funding Recipients
In 2021, the Scottish Government launched a new Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, with £15 million of funding allocated to support adults’ mental health and wellbeing in communities across Scotland.
Year 1 (2021/2022)
£238,704.67 was awarded to 17 groups and organisations across East Renfrewshire in the first year of the funding.
Year 2 (2022/2023)
£234,870.08 was awarded to 31 groups and organisations
Year 3 (2023/2024)
£236,712.59 was awarded amongst 32 projects
Year 4 (2024/2025)
£23,7581.87 was awarded to 44 community groups and organisations
Below you will find more information on all successful grant recipients.
Year 4 - 2024/25
While last year’s funding for our Boxing, Blether and Brew club was a great success, the need within our community has only grown. To meet this demand, we are eager to extend our wellbeing support across all the classes we offer. Our evening sessions, including ladies-only and mixed groups, along with various daytime classes, serve as a crucial resource for many. This funding is essential to ensure these programs can continue, providing much-needed support to community members facing poverty, domestic violence, trauma, substance misuse, and other mental health challenges. The club has become a lifeline for many, and with this support, we can continue to be there for those who rely on us.
Our club is inclusive and has members from a cross section of society with a significant proportion of the membership around retirement age or older, with some members in their eighties. The Club Houses, located on the Glanderton and Walton Dams, provide an ideal location for social contact amongst our members as well as respite from the harsh Scottish weather! The current club houses have tea making and heating facilities but the latter are very old and need to be upgraded with more modern fuel efficient stoves. Members attend both dams primarily to fish but a significant amount of time is spend in the Club Houses sitting by the fire, drinking tea and sorting out the problems of the world. For some of our more senior members, who are unable to fish any more, the Club House provides a facility where they can visit at any time and catch-up with friends and fellow anglers.
Barrhead St Andrews Soup Drop In is a service which delivers a hot meal to help those struggling financially and those suffering loneliness and isolation. In addition to this, we talk to those who visit the group and try to point people to relevant agencies for extra help.
Kickboxing classes that seek to promote physical activity which in turn promotes healthy minds whilst encouraging new relationships within the community reducing social isolation in adults.
Exercise has been proven to improve mental health. The project seeks to provide a space where people can come together to work towards a common goal. Working together whilst undertaking a hobby can ease anxiety, as they are able to focus on a common goal whilst socialising instead of undertaking the pressures associated with a group conversation setting. It is my hope that attendees can reduce social isolation by socialising with others within the class, whilst also improving their mental health and fitness.
ERCAB through this funding stream have offered a specialist advice service for anyone who lives within the East Renfrewshire area whose mental health issues mean they require additional support .ERCAB has lead on the project targeting people experiencing mental health problems in the community to prevent them from experiencing disadvantage. The project involves a holistic advice, information and representation/advocacy service (Welfare Rights and Financial Inclusion) which is led by client need and accessible through all CAB services in East Renfrewshire. The project also provides consultancy support to front line professionals to enhance their support for clients and patients who would benefit from information on their rights, advice on social, welfare or legal matters and improved financial inclusion/entitlements.
ERCAB have designed and delivered bespoke training to front line professionals to build their capacity for supporting the needs of their clients and patients. The role also involves gathering evidence of the difference made by the project for people and communities to inform future CAB campaigns and efforts to inform social policy on mental health at the local and national levels. This project also works with people living within the community of the East Renfrewshire Council area, who have contact with Psychiatric Services at the point of referral and who meet the Referral Criteria
We are a mixed-voice choir. We meet weekly. Singing is well known as being beneficial for well-being and for promoting positive mental health, as well as being good for physical health (there are many health benefits from the good breathing techniques required for singing). Our repertoire is not straightforward and requires learning and practice, again with a significant benefit for maintaining mental capacity. The majority of our participants are older, mainly though not exclusively, women. Some have reduced mobility. We also have a member who is registered blind and is supported to participate by other members and by the RNIB. Being part of a choir, and the connections formed within it, helps to reduce the potential for social isolation of our older members.
The Sunshine Club started with the aim of giving carers supporting those living with dementia , a regular short respite each week. It has expanded its client base to include those who are seeking companionship through leisure activities e.g. craftwork , gentle exercise etc. so it is no longer limited to those living with dementia. The aim is to grow the number of people who attend and to continue to provide a warm and welcoming space, in the face of rising costs.
We are seeking funding to continue and grow our Connect Clubs which will be host to adults (50+) to socialize during the day. The clubs will provide a safe space for those who feel unsafe or less comfortable to socialize in the evenings. The service will be of low cost and will offer adults a place to socialize in a similar manner to our evening clubs but during the day. Clubs and activity groups for 50+ can be very enriching and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Our club will be to provide more than allocation and teas/coffees but also a lunch and the opportunity to talk, play games, karaoke, raffles, bingo, occasional singers and trips etc. the club would run currently weekly for 2 hours. There will be times depending on the weather where the club will be taken out on our Well Walk program. They will be accompanied by a staff member and volunteers who will be aware of the needs and scope out a suitable route to help improve their physical and mental health.
The group meets fortnightly and we share knowledge of knitting/crochet work. Sometimes we bring our own projects, but also help with projects for other organisations. This year we have provided 4 large blankets with small comfort packs to the Salvation Army Anti-Trafficking Department and after being contacted by a local care home, are in the process of making sensory lap blankets for residents with dementia. The project supports the mental health and wellbeing of those who attend the group. Some of these individuals live on their own, some are carers and some are recently bereaved (after a number of years as carers). Other organisations have benefitted from our work/time together as well through what we produce.
We are a group of residents who need help purchasing a motion picture license so we are able to watch movies in the lounge of our sheltered housing complex. We believe that by coming together to watch a movie , we will reduce isolation amongst residents who live alone, increases stimulation and reduces loneliness as many people sit afterwards for tea and coffee
- To support volunteers with additional support needs.
- To plan and lead craft workshops at our fortnightly Blether and Brew coffee afternoons.
- To provide respite befriending support for families who are caring for someone who is living with dementia.
The allotment is a community based group. With wellbeing at it core. We set up about a year ago and have been running chat and gardening groups on a Thursday and Saturday for anyone how wants to pop down. We are all volunteers and the allotment is open to all 365 days a year at anytime. This is a space where you can come and do as much or as little as you like. We have started running community led events and are looking to run more. This is breaking down longness and depression. We try very hard to be inclusive of everyone. The beds are up of the ground so everyone can tend to them. We’re looking to build more planters to let more people grow flowers or vegetables. We have found that when people are outside work with the earth and plants it helps there mental health. And while there outside there chatting to others and building friendships. We’re looking to continue this and extend the groups. We are planning to build a pergola so we have an outside space to hold activities in.
- The first one is the “Girls Youth Helpline” which is for girls aged 12-25 (approx).
- The second is “Talk to an Alimah*” which is for adults.
- The female telephone helplines operate on 0300 numbers. The youth helpline also has a WhatsApp feature. In addition to this, there are opportunities for face-to-face appointments.
- The female telephone helplines operate with strict confidentiality and anonymity. This is to meet GDPR requirements and also encourage those who are vulnerable within the community to have confidence to use the services available to them without fear of their personal circumstances being disclosed within the community.
“Supporting Families Support Themselves” is a community-focused initiative designed to support mental health and wellbeing through two interconnected projects. Both projects aim to share skills in food growing/cooking, learning new nature based skills, promote physical activity and combat loneliness within an urban woodland setting. By creating a supportive and nurturing environment, this initiative seeks to empower parents and enhance the quality of life for families.
This project is designed to promote mental health and well-being within our community. By focusing on practical skills in cooking and natural crafts and improving social connections. By providing targeted support for parents who are socially isolated and who may be showing early signs of mental health difficulties. This project aims to create a supportive environment where families can thrive. The natural, peaceful setting of the urban woodland enhances the therapeutic impact, making it an ideal location for these activities.
CASTL Project now known as Opeka is a SCIO which provides activities for adults with ASN. Our charity operates at the Carswell Centre in Eaglesham and at the Eastwood Health Centre in Clarkston. Our main activities involve Music sessions, Baking, Art, VR Headsets, Therapet, Disability Cycling, Massage and Yoga. Because of the location of Eaglesham we provide transport to our participants from Giffnock, Newton Mearns and Clarkston, thanks to the great work of South West Community Transport.
From the United Services Club we run and over 50’s group offering entertainment, food & drink and an opportunity to socialise. We provide 2 outing per year and a festive meal for elderly people within the community. This club offers a safe space to socialise and meet new people, it also provides opportunities to learn new skills and crafts. The main focus of this club is to reduce social isolation in the community and create supportive links to those who may live alone or want to increase their social circle. This club is often the only social interaction some members have and they look forward to attending on a weekly basis. Also, by offering a free hot food this ensures the members have at least one proper meal on a Tuesday. The club offers peace of mind to the families of the members as non attendance is checked and followed up
This Project will continue to directly improve the health and well-being of people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) and their unpaid family carers. We will offer a wide range of accessible leisure and cultural activities (indoor and outdoor), provided by trained knowledgeable staff in accessible venues, with appropriate essential equipment. Some activities will be for people with PMLD and their families, others solely for family carers. Families have guided us on the activities most beneficial to their relatives with PMLD, and the need to provide these more often and at different times of the year. They have also highlighted the benefits of activities that allow themselves as carers to have a break from their care role and time out to relax, and have seen an increase in uptake for these activities we’ve already been able to offer. With the cost of living crisis families have particularly been experiencing financial hardship, so having activities provided free of charge has made a huge difference to them, as well as providing the chance to try ‘taster’ sessions which they may then try again on their own.
The aim of our project is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of families affected by dementia across East Renfrewshire using personally meaningful music, together with delivering our tried and tested model for training community staff, volunteers, health and social care professionals on how to make and use a music playlist effectively. This project will see us expand this Help Point network further to diversify our reach, with a real focus on areas of high deprivation and people from under-served and under-represented groups and communities focusing primarily in Barrhead, Neilston and Thornliebank. We know this model works and know there are more people that need this support.
We are seeking funding to set up a time-limited bereavement support group running once or twice per year. Churches have significant experience and expertise in dealing with death and grieving, which is still largely a taboo subject in Scotland. The church holds around 15-20 funerals each year for a wide range of families, including parish funerals for people in the south of Barrhead. Since starting in September 2020, the church been involved in leading 78 funeral services. Building on these experiences, we trialled a Bereavement Support Group back in 2022 for anyone struggling to come to terms with their own experience of loss and death. Although the group takes place within the context of our faith community, it would be open to anyone who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. We would seek referrals to the group, making clear that grief in itself is not a pathological issue, but can become complicated by other issues over time. The group would not be a professional therapy group as such, but would enable the members to talk and to reflect in a safe and contained space, and to offer appropriate peer support to each other.
A local death cafe invites people to meet where death and dying are discussed in a supportive and confidential environment. A death café discussion is led by the participants and may cover issues such as those supporting a loved one at their end of life, those at end of life and looking for peer support. It is not counselling and people seeking this will be signposted to the relevant organisation and support. I am a registered nurse with a PVG and aware how to support vulnerable adults.
We currently run a Singing for the Brain Group on a Monday in Barrhead. We currently rent a hall from the URC Church. The group is mainly targeted at People with Dementia however we encourage older people from the community to come and enjoy the fun to reduce isolation and loneliness. Our group encourages people to sing and dance through a party atmosphere as music, singing and dance are known to release the feel good chemicals in the Brain and is known to make people feel uplifted and happy. It also encourages people to be active.
We have been running the group at this hall for the past 3 months and it has been hugely successful as it given people the opportunity to make friends, laugh, reminisce and as Barrhead has a great community spirit, it has allowed people from the past to hook up again and spend some quality time with each other. It has also allowed people with Dementia to feel part of the community as everyone is all having a great time together. We also have a tea break and this gives us all a chance to have a good chat about our week. The group also allows carers of people supported by us and in the local community to have some respite to let them ‘step down’ for a while therefore reducing some stress for them. Some Carers stay at the group as they feel good after it too. Obtaining funding would secure the let for the next 12 months and help us buy the resources that would enable us to ensure that lots of fun is had.
- We anticipate that bringing people together in an outdoor space will bring both physical and mental health benefits to participants – young and old
- We envisage that generations working together will forge positive and respective relationships in our community
- We hope to provide an opportunity to social after each session and plan to use the library as our meeting point and for a quick brew and blether after our session.
- Raising the profile of the library as a venue for outdoor activities and opportunities will strengthen it’s place in the community and increase footfall and general library use
- We hope that by involving the community we will foster a sense of ownership and civic responsibility and reduced anti-social behaviour and vandalism across our entire community
Our group is a weight loss & social group, members are weighed in on a weekly basis, we meet on a Monday Afternoon until recently we had light exercise weekly, we have 18 people attend weekly, a lot of the time it becomes catch up for at least 12/13 who all live alone over a weekend which obviously impact on our mental house, we enjoy exercise, Bingo, Arts & Crafts, Days out where possible. Our project reduces isolation at least ¾ of members live on their own 24/7 being inclusive in a group helps everyone’s Mental Health we try to provide a variety of activities including outdoor areas to visit which can be expensive our minimum age group is 60yrs up 83 yrs old some of them have joined the walking groups on a weekly basis, future plans for Drama.
Year 3 - 2023/24
To support mothers and babies socialise and interact with other mothers & babies to help reduce postnatal depression. They also aim to provide breastfeeding support and advice.
Our organisation provides exercise for participants within our community. Although we are predominately a boxing club, 95% of our participants will never box and come for mental, emotional, social and physical well-being. We have a varied age range from 8 to 65 + and we have participants from all cultures, ethnic groups, religions and genders, there are simply no barriers. We originally started the project for our emergency services as we had a number of firefighters, police and NHS staff who already attended our classes who had reported a high number of their colleagues were struggling post pandemic. However, within weeks we were inundated with more people from the community who had heard we were opening our doors for exercise, having a chat and discussing our mental wellbeing. We now regularly have between 10 to 15 participants each week who are enjoying exercising, meeting new people and developing new skills.
In partnership with RAMH, we want to create a Be Well Barrhead service which expands BHA’s support offering through by providing a direct early intervention mental health support service that has been caused by Trauma to prevent tenancy breakdown and improve the quality of life in a BHA tenancy.
This specialised tenancy support service is for BHA tenants, aged 16 and over, who identify that they are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing support and that this is impacting on their ability to positively manage their tenancy. This community-based initiative provides tailored support for mental ill health and distress to prevent tenancy breakdown.
The CASTL Project helps deliver various activities to people with complex needs who have been disadvantaged due to staff shortages at various centres, a lack of stimulating activities in the area or low budgets being allocated to the parents/guardians due to a difficult economic climate. With these problems facing other organisations this has enabled us to provide an alternative to these disadvantaged adults. Our organisation aims to provide much needed respite for parents/carer’s and provide a day service which is inclusive and fun for all our participants.
Bright Futures is an expansion of a project previously funded in part by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing fund and other funders. There are two groups both of which are all about tackling isolation and loneliness, one group is helping adults with learning disabilities better navigate the cost of living crisis and connect and support each other through building skills and confidence, the other is a volunteer led group tackling isolation and loneliness for older people from the Jewish community, many of whom do not have local family or support mechanisms.
Bright Futures is about connecting people and communities, building relationships and contributing to specific national outcomes around inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe communities. The two groups will meet once weekly at our base in May Terrace, Giffnock. It is anticipated that both groups will focus on keeping people well, raising awareness of how we can stay well and supporting others to do so, we will take a preventative approach which focuses on early intervention and personal resilience, and being person-led in activities and approach.
We would like to continue a Weekly Wednesday Club for older people / seniors that will enable them to connect and build relationships with familiar or new faces. The club will offer a familiar, warm safe place and friendly face to have a chat with other seniors and make friends including various activities that will contribute towards improving each individuals mental wellbeing and physical health. To make the weekly club more inclusive we would like to offer travel expenses for anyone who is unable to attend due to financial hardship or poverty. Increased costs can be a barrier to inclusion and we wish to alleviate this for anyone affected to reduce risk of ill health and pressure on local agencies and services arising from loneliness and isolation.
We currently run a weekly over-50s friendship group at Netherlee Hall, focused on promoting physical and mental well-being. Our activities include chair exercises to improve mobility, mental well-being workshops to combat loneliness, and cookery classes to encourage healthy eating. This initiative provides a supportive community, especially benefiting local seniors who were identified as being isolated or in need of companionship post pandemic. This funding would enable us to expand our outreach and impact.
Kickboxing classes which seek to promote physical activity which in turn promotes healthy minds whilst encouraging new relationships within the community reducing social isolation in adults.
Exercise has been proven to improve mental health . I seek to provide a space where people can come together to work towards a common goal. Working together whilst undertaking a hobby can ease anxiety, as they are able to focus on a common goal whilst socialising instead of undertaking the pressures associated with a group conversation setting. It is my hope that attendees can reduce social isolation by socialising with others within the class, whilst also improving their mental health and fitness.
To bring together men from Dunterlie and the surrounding area to socialise, to learn together and to address the issues which affect their lives. The group is working to improve the mental health and wellbeing of it’s members through providing a safe space to talk, connect with essential services and have fun.
Dunterlie Community Yoga and Well-being Group (DCYWG) is a community group, and its main aim is to take yoga to people in less traditional areas, bringing yoga and its benefits (both physical and mental) to the local community. The group promotes access to physical activity (yoga), mindfulness and meditation practices, and other well-being practices.
Another aim of DCYWG is to provide support and improve the health and well-being of residents of Barrhead through affordable yoga class in a local venue (token fee of £2.50 if employed and £1/free if retired, unemployed or a student), stripping the stereotype of yoga only being for middle or upper classes. The group is aimed at helping people affected by poverty and trauma.
The DCYWG’s yoga classes are open to all residents of Barrhead. The aim of the yoga classes is to bring the community together, improve both physical and mental health of the residents, encouraging socialising and reducing social isolation, promoting positive change, encouraging self-directed practice and subsequently increasing motivation and ability to engage with other support services locally to enter education/employment etc.
The overgrown grounds behind the Carswell Centre are being cultivated and developed into an area for growing vegetables, fruit and flowers. Its creation is for the benefit of the local community so that they can get involved, learn new skills, meet new people and benefit from the produce.
We are looking to provide activities for carers in a range of ways:
- Monthly coffee mornings for carers to meet with others in a similar situation and allow them time out from their caring role.
- Quarterly visits to a Health and Wellbeing Centre where carers can enjoy and participate in therapeutic sessions.
- Provide monthly activity/sports sessions for carers to engage and participate in to help reduce their stress and anxiety.
In recent times we are seeing more and more clients present with mental health issues – these clients need intense help and support , and an increasing amount of time dedicated to their needs. ERCAB through this funding stream have offered a specialist advice service (RESPONSE PROJECT), for anyone who lives within the East Renfrewshire area whose mental health issues mean they require additional support.
The project targets people experiencing mental health problems in the community to prevent them from experiencing disadvantage. The project involves a holistic advice, information and representation/advocacy service (Welfare Rights and Financial Inclusion) which is led by client need and accessible through all CAB services in East Renfrewshire. The project also provides consultancy support to front line professionals to enhance their support for clients and patients who would benefit from information on their rights, advice on social, welfare or legal matters and improved financial inclusion/entitlements.
The Fairweather drop in group are a group of the over 50s with many members coming from the minority ethnic community on the outskirts of Glasgow. The group offers social activities, educational trips, and a lunch club one day a week from the local community centre. The group helps to address the social isolation that may occur in older people.
In recent years have done a lot of fundraising to become more sustainable and has also managed to increase its membership and create an enhanced membership system to pay for additional trips and outlays of the lunch club.
We are seeking funding to continue and grow our Connect Clubs which will be host to adults (18+) to socialize for two hours, once a week. The clubs will provide a safe space for those who feel unsafe or less comfortable to socialize in the evenings. The service will be of low cost and will offer adults a place to socialize in a similar manner to our evening clubs but during the day. Clubs and activity groups for 18+ can be very enriching and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Our club will be to provide more than allocation and teas/coffees but also a lunch and the opportunity to talk, play games, karaoke, raffles, bingo, occasional singers etc.
Our three main strategic priorities are Connecting People, Promoting Wellbeing and Maximising Resources. Our non-registered services allow us to do all three. Particularly, our Happy Monday and Welcome Wednesday drop-in café sessions which form our “Connecting People” project, provide the community with an opportunity to come together in a safe space and connect with old friends and make new ones. Attendees can drop-in between 12 and 3pm each Wednesday, around 48 weeks per year. Kosher catering is available, at a suggested donation, while volunteers serve a wide menu to participants. Our aim is to remove barriers to Orthodox or Kosher Jews who would benefit, as well as removing financial barriers.
Established in 2021 and led by volunteers, the average number of people attending our weekly drop-in café, Welcome Wednesday, has grown from around 15 per week to a steady 40 attendees each week. As the project has evolved, we have seen groups branch off after they’ve eaten to set up their own “knit and knatter” group which meets weekly (and is often the last to leave!). We have also scheduled twice monthly choir sessions, which attendees can choose to attend in a breakout space, or not. Most recently, through community feedback, one volunteer leads a monthly discussion group inviting influential people to join him discussing topics such as wellbeing, community and the next one planned will look at digital inclusion.
We are seeking funding for the following:
- Motion Picture License so we are able to watch movies together on a Sunday evening in the lounge
- Refreshments for residents during our Sunday Movie Night
- Funds for DVD’s so we are not watching the same ones all the time.
- Garden Furniture for the summer so we are able to spend time outside with others and encourage more residents to join the group.
Research suggests that Autistic adults are at risk of social isolation, and whilst Autism is a social communication disorder, many Autists wish to be more included in social groups which meet their needs. We want to run an adult peer-to-peer support group to combat social isolation and improve inclusion. Isolation and loneliness are key contributors not just to mental wellbeing.
Our project, under the supervision of the National Autistic Society -East Renfrewshire, wants to combat a marginalised group of individuals who fall across all races, sexualities and gender expressions. We want to run a truly inclusive group that will be Autist-led and directed to meet the needs of socially isolated adults within our community.
Through collaborative working, we know we can build a strong community of Autistic people who will find support and friendship through our facilitated group. By offering support in various formats and with club-based projects, we will foster an environment that boosts self-esteem and self-image and curates a safe environment for Autistic people to gain confidence and grow their social skills; we will cover topics such as friendships, relationships, navigating work relationships and many more topics.
The project provides the ladies of Neilston offering a safe place to meet on a weekly basis, have lunch, make friendships and on occasion enjoy a form of daytime entertainment.
We are currently coming to the end of our previous funding that we received from the Communities Health and Well-Being fund and are looking to continue the project. We run a free-to access baby bank and it has been very well attended and something the community has desperately needed. We have continued to grow this past year, and we estimate anywhere from 50-100 families will benefit from the baby bank.
We believe that “age is just a number”, and we want to bring the fun back in to the lives of older adults living in care homes, sheltered accomodation, or those who live alone. We want to provide a range of stimulating activities, such as arts and crafts, gentle exercise, physical games, reminiscence, quizzes and more. We will provide these sessions at local care homes, sheltered accomodations and halls, so we can be as accessible as possible for everyone to attend.
There are two helplines dedicated to supporting females within our community:
- The first one is the “Girls Youth Helpline” which is for girls aged 12-25 (approx).
- The second is “Talk to an Alimah” which is for adults.
- The female telephone helplines have dedicated timeslots throughout the week and combined total to 14 hours (minimum). In addition to this, there are opportunities for face-to-face appointments.
- The female telephone helplines operate on 0300 numbers. The youth helpline also has a WhatsApp feature.
- There is also an email facility for those who prefer to community by email.
The PAMIS Well-Being Project will aim to directly improve the health and well-being of people with PMLD and their unpaid family carers.
We will do this by offering a variety of free to access well-being activities that will focus on both physical and mental health improvement. Some activities will be in person such as our monthly My Time Family Friendship Club with Music for Well-being, accessible Pony and Cart rides to enable wheelchair users to experience the outdoors, Cold Water Therapy Sessions for family carers, accessible barge trips and wheelchair accessible boats sessions. Other activities will be online, such as Yoga for family carers, Mindfulness and Creative Writing sessions for family carers, and Postural Care Training sessions to enable family carers to understand the importance of correct positioning of their relative with PMLD.
All our activities will be targeted solely at this group. This project will also focus on PAMIS families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis who cannot afford to “buy in” their own wellness activities. Attending classes and accessible activities is no longer an option for some if there is a payment attached. Continuing rising energy, food and fuel bills are isolating these families further. This project will also allow families to connect with one another in mutual support. We will also offer our families 1:1 support and guidance.
The 5 men at Quarriers Mearns Service would like to expand their recreational space by developing an outdoor area where they can practice health and wellbeing activities, such as gardening and benefit form a sensory garden. Quarriers is in a unique position in that the building and land are owned by Quarriers meaning that the grounds offer scope for development.
This is a pilot programme delivered by a PT Development officer and up to 6 RACER Volunteer Peer Ambassadors. The volunteers will have lived experience from Mental Health and substance misuse background and will be going through the RAMH recruitment and Interview Process and a PVG check.
RACER’s mission is to support the Recovery community in East Renfrewshire that is free from stigma towards substance use by bridging the gap between addiction and recovery through education, advocacy, and awareness.
RACER will be a strong voice for the individuals and families in long-term recovery, ensuring a strong, healthy, and productive recovery community within East Renfrewshire. The RACER Project will raise awareness of substance misuse and how to build connections in the local communities in East Renfrewshire breaking down stigma and stereotyping. RACERS working definition of recovery defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness.
Two large scale Information/signposting events with entertainment and lunch provided. Several organisations will attend allowing people access to vital information in once place. This will include money advice, Social work, Housing, Carers advice, Social Care support, Community activities, Mental Health services, legal advice and many more. Entertainment will be provided by local people in the form of song, drama and dance and we will consult with those who attended for their views on local issues. The hope would be (subject to funding) to hold a Big ER Lunch in Spring 2024 and another one in Autumn/December 2024. Each event would be in separate venues/locations to allow as many different people as possible in East Renfrewshire to attend and benefit. The aims are:
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We are seeking to fund one year’s salary for the role of an SDS Coordinator (20 hours per week). The person undertaking the role will provide independent, practical support, expert knowledge, information, and advice on SDS, allowing supported people, and their carers, to gain more confidence and identify the most suitable SDS options and/or services to meet their needs, be empowered, feel in control and realise they have choices when making key decisions about how they live their life.
The SDS Coordinator will work with people who want support to improve issues of mental health, wellbeing and loneliness. We will link people to social support networks, broadening peoples’ neighbourhood contacts and help them identify what would be most meaningful to them, including re-establishing family contacts or making new connections.
The Sheltered Housing Social Group would like to fund an artist to come into the Sheltered Housing complex and deliver a range of ECO Craft sessions. The group have received funding in the past to deliver these sessions and have had the opportunity to learn a variety of new skills and techniques, including macrame knotting, cyanotype (UV light) printing and botanical print making using native plants. Sessions are relaxed and informal, allowing everyone to take part at their own pace, and the artist is able to adapt sessions and activities for any tenants who have additional needs such as arthritis in their hands or visual impairment. In these sessions, tenants also learn how to upcycle unwanted materials and items into something new, making the sessions Eco-friendly and helping tenants to reduce their impact on the environment. The funding would allow the artist to deliver one 2-hour session each month for 12 months.
To further establish, and build on the existing work of The Autistic Collective and to enable to provide Autistic-led training and support to:
- Carers
- Autistic People
- Black, Brown, Asian and Ethnic Minority families
- Staff and volunteers that provide services specific to Autistic people and their carers
- Universal services that Autistic people and their families access
Across 2024, we will continue to build, grow and develop the foundations and the demand TAC has created and delivered in the past. Namely, to coordinate and host more LEARNING / PEER SUPPORT sessions with leading Autistic-led organisations which has been requested by our members.
The best way to learn about “autism” is from Autistic adults who were once Autistic children themselves. Those Autistic “autism” professionals who now dedicate their lives to making sure Autistic kids don’t have to grow up misunderstood, and endure the same hardships. The information, events and groups we provide are developed with sector leaders with innovative and evidence-based approaches.
To support our core mission to help our wider community, especially people disadvantaged by their circumstances; and to reduce waste of the earth’s scarce resources our project will receive from community course laptops deemed too slow. By installing pre-used SSD drives and memory modules coupled with open source Linux software we can repurpose these laptops and supply them to Asylum seekers attending further education classes through Thornliebank Health Centre.
Blighted by their personal circumstances much difficulty is experienced by Aslum Seekers living in our community. Providing this small gesture enables the user to access on line courses and contact family in other parts of the world etc. A secondary consideration is the feeling of wellbeing the donators to this project advise us is the fact that a product they would have put to landfill is potentially now going to be used for 3 – 5 years
We aim to support Ukrainian refugees in Scotland, to help them with acquiring and/or improving English. In addition to this, we provide social interactions via gatherings, workshops cultural activities to improve mental health and well-being and help to adjust into Scottish society after traumatic experiences of war.
We are looking to hold Saturdays social gatherings on weekly basis and deliver to our visitors various workshops and training including mental health, arts and crafts, meeting with different organisations that providing advice on work, education etc. Providing warm food and safe space for those needed.
The group meets weekly on Monday afternoons, we have exercise nearly every week with Alan, we have Bingo, Arts & Crafts lead by a tutor, Quizzes which all help to reduce isolation and have a positive impact on the mental health of members who seldom see people out with the group. An educational outing is welcomed by all members who enjoy the new surrounding and the opportunity to meet people out with the group setting, which again has had a positive effect on group members by having new things to discuss and chat about and quite often laugh about which has a direct impact on the mental health for the better.
Year 1 - 2021/22
Alzheimer Scotland East Renfrewshire groups and activities deliver therapeutic benefits and give people living with dementia and their carers the opportunity to stay connected with peers and within their local community. The funding will help to expand the current delivery of community activities and allow them to reach the wider and more remote areas of East Renfrewshire that currently have little or no provision. Alzheimer’s Scotland work closely with many families who will directly benefit from this funding and who will have the opportunity to participate in activities.
Barrhead Housing Association will engage the local community in areas of health improvement and behaviour change to serve a need for community-level interventions relating to wellbeing and physical health, providing the services of an Exercise and Behaviour Change specialist, developing peer support groups and holding a community cooking initiative as well as a regular meal club.
Barrhead Men’s Shed sought funding to purchase two air filter units for their woodshop. They provide woodworking facilities for their members, and airborne wood dust particles can be a threat to the participant’s health and comfort.
“The previous methods of reducing airborne wood dust particles are no longer adequate, and so the new filters will be a major improvement”.
Cosgrove Care were awarded funding to provide weekly wellbeing sessions for adults with learning disabilities. This is to create connections for people who have been shielding and the clinically vulnerable during the previous lockdowns.
In addition, Cosgrove Care will support a local volunteer who has started a fortnightly session in Glasgow Maccabi for older people with a range of needs. The sessions, called the Cosgrove Care Coffee Hub, will focus on older people within the Jewish Community who have been isolated and disconnected during the lockdown.
Cultivating mindfulness offers a mental wellbeing service to support young people age 12-25, and an adult carer project by delivering accessible mindfulness, compassion and wellbeing programmes and 1:1 support that nourish the whole person.
The programme aims to enhance each person’s mental, emotional, physical health and wholeness to live healthier, happier, more productive and meaningful lives.
Dunterlie Arts and Crafts group have regulars that meet each week to focus on a project and work towards creating something. It is as described by Lynn (the facilitator) as “therapy without the title”. Making art is the reason that people come to the club, but talking to others, being socially included and leaving with a sense of achievement is ultimately what makes members come back each week.
Dunterlie Food Share aims to provide a free bag of shopping, 52 weeks a year, with 3 meals included in each bag. The award from this fund will allow them to continue.
The Funding will allow ERCAB to lead on a project targeting people experiencing mental health problems in the community to prevent them from experiencing disadvantages.
The project will involve holistic advice, representation and advocacy services (welfare rights and financial inclusion) and will be accessible through all CAB services in East Renfrewshire.
The “Cricket 4 ALL” project is all about getting people out in a safe space where they can meet, share stories, build confidence and enjoy a social game of cricket. They aim to bring communities together, listen, and help signpost those who need help to local services. They are particularly keen to help carers and those who have had challenging times during Covid.
Include me 2 aims to create the “Connect Club” for adults to socialise during the day and create a safe space for those who feel unsafe to socialise in the evenings. This will be an opportunity for them to talk, play games, perform at karaoke, raffles, bingo and more. The clubs will be based in Giffnock and Neilston.
Inspired by other community litter picking initiatives in Scotland, this group will use their funding to make litter picking in Neilston and Uplawmoor more accessible and easier for people to do individually, in their own time. New equipment for the community will encourage more people to participate and work together to keep our environment clean and litter-free.
Mearns Kirk Helping Hands aim to reduce loneliness and isolation and improve health and wellbeing by bringing on a full-time project manager to take on existing activities, and work with their volunteers to develop new responses as the impact of the pandemic becomes clearer. Therefore, increasing the number of isolated, particularly isolated older people who can access their support.
The local charity currently provides a wide range of volunteering opportunities, a befriending project for aged 65+, a friendship club, a Blether and Brew group, a Men’s Breakfast Club, a lunch and social club for people living with dementia, a bereavement support group and IT development activities.
OFF-Grid community’s project “Good in The Wood” will facilitate a series of sessions to support Family First Parents/carers in East Renfrewshire.
The project will consist of two groups of 2-hour Mental Health & Wellbeing group sessions per week over 8 weeks. These groups are for parents who live within Thornliebank or the surrounding area. The group has one or more of the following indicators, but all attendees will have been identified as needing support with their mental health: BAME, Social Isolation Parent of a child with additional support needs, Food Poverty/security. These sessions will incorporate ‘Learn to play outdoors’ parent training, working to meet Family First objectives of enabling & upskilling parents. The bespoke sessions will empower the participants with the knowledge and skills to access the outdoors with their children confidently and safely into the future – in turn opening new opportunities for Nature connection independently.
The project seeks to create a Recovery College with a team of people within student services that support the student on their recovery journey. The model also works by bringing in different tutors and courses not currently delivered in East Renfrewshire. This would include courses that focus on strengths and develop strong coping strategies alongside self-management skills, i.e. From Trauma to Recovery & WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning).
At the heart of the Autistic Collective’s Community & Mental Health Fund project are peer support and a better understanding of autism across all sectors. The project will be delivered via Autistic/Neurodivergent-led online training and upskilling for Autistic/Neurodivergent people, carers, and professionals alike, in addition to peer support carers’ sessions. The project will be produced in partnership with East Renfrewshire Carers Centre.
WASLER sought funding to increase support hours to address the complex and interrelated needs of women with experience of domestic abuse and poor mental health.
They seek to develop wellbeing focused services that support positive mental health at all levels. They will provide specialist domestic abuse support along with a range of holistic and therapeutic supports that promote mental health wellness for all women in their service. This will support longer-term recovery and safer futures for women and children affected by domestic abuse.
WASLER also sought funding for equipment, resources and running costs for group work activities – arts and crafts materials, yoga mats, travel expenses and venue hire. They would also like to offer gym memberships and wellbeing retreats.
The current staff member is a holistic therapist, licensed yoga instructor and senior practitioner in mental health and addictions. Increased support hours will also ensure that all women contacting the service receive immediate support.
Young Enterprise Scotland is in the heart of Rouken Glen Park, where they advocate #Enterpriseforall.
Glen Growers is an exciting project that unites young and older local community members to share valuable gardening knowledge and skills and nurture mutual respect.
The funding will allow them to update ageing gardening tools and much-needed equipment; repair their poly tunnels; update growing areas; provide safe storage for our participants equipment so that they are independent and feel a sense of belonging when visiting the site; and install an arbour where participants can sit and take time to reflect, even when it’s raining!
Year 2 - 2022/23
To engage the local community in areas of health improvement and behaviour change to serve an already identified need for community level interventions relating to Mental, Wellbeing and Physical health.
Abhinaya SCIO is seeking to provide learning opportunities and a safe space for all women to meet, overcome social isolation & loneliness, increase confidence in socialising & speaking in English for those using English as another language. develop friendship and get active. This will be achieved by delivering a wider range of weekly dance classes at various venues in East Renfrewshire.
The club wish to re-render the outside of their club huts which serve each dam. They are currently in a state of disrepair due to the harsh environment they are exposed to. There is an ingress of rain water due to the damaged render which has an adverse effect on the buildings.
To train a small team of 5-10 volunteers in Mental Health First Aid, who will be available to support those who access our Warm and Welcome space, and to signpost on as appropriate.
One of their coaches is a firefighter and has seen a significant rise in the mental health of colleagues within the service. The club is seeking funding to organise a Boxing, Banter and Brew session each Tuesday morning. The idea is for like minded people to get together to exercise and simply chat about the issues they are facing within their service and life.
The club was set-up in the light of lock down easing where many young people had become socially isolated or began to engage in nuisance behaviour within their communities. The club was set up to allow a safe space where young people can begin to re-engage and build their confidence. For those who have been engaging in anti-social behaviour, the youth club provides a structured environment where they can engage in youth work activities and be challenged on their attitudes and behaviours allowing for positive change to be made personally and within the community.
We would like to offer a Weekly Wednesday Club for seniors that are aged 60 and over that will enable them to connect and build relationships with familiar or new faces. The club will offer a familiar place and friendly face to have a chat with other seniors and make friends including various activities that will contribute towards improving each individuals mental wellbeing and physical health.
Our project will offer adult carers who are struggling with anxiety, stress, being overwhelmed, depression or fatigue early and preventative mindfulness interventions to improve mental wellbeing and physical health.
Learn traditional, modern and sustainable art and crafting methods.
ERCAB through this funding stream have offered a specialist advice service (RESPONSE PROJECT), for anyone who lives within the East Renfrewshire area whose mental health issues mean they require additional support.
We are applying for funding to purchase expedition and team-building equipment. This equipment is not for one off use and will be able to support young people like ourselves to complete their Duke of Edinburgh award for years to come. This funding will allow the GOLDs of 2022/23 to leave a legacy which will not only minimise financial outlay by families in the future but also provide the opportunity and the equipment for young people to enjoy, learn and succeed in this programme.
This year ERA will be building a structure consisting of a polycrub and small meeting space & disabled changing/toilet at The Waterworks area in Barrhead, G78 1DT. Our regular groups are focussed on our Young People with ASN which obviously helps their parents/caregivers. This new project will allow us to spend some time focussing on the positive aspects that outdoor projects can bring to those parents/caregivers too.
We are looking to provide activities for carers in a range of ways: Quarterly visits to a Health and Wellbeing Centre where carers can enjoy and participate in therapeutic sessions. Provide monthly badminton sessions for carers to engage and participate in. Monthly coffee mornings for carers to meet with others in a similar situation. Wellbeing sessions to help support the autistic children of parent carers who are struggling attending school and have stress/anxiety in coping with day to day life.
An intergenerational one–off event (which will hopefully lead to the start–up of new connections in the community) to help build relationship between older and young people in the community of Newton Mearns and surrounding areas.
The Fairweather drop in group are a group of the over 50s with many members coming from the minority ethnic community on the outskirts of Glasgow.
The group offers social activities, educational trips, and a lunch club one day a week from the local community centre. The group helps to address the social isolation that may occur in older people.
Our local Regional Family Support Coordinator (RFSC) will provide tailored one-to-one support – including practical and emotional advice, guidance and advocacy – for affected adults across the region. She will also facilitate access to local groupwork activities and valuable peer support networks.
Funding towards salary costs to maintain a full time Project Manager for one year.
A free weekend lunch service aimed at tackling food/fuel poverty and isolation in the local community. Running for 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon we aim to provide a warm safe space where people can relax and not have to worry about having to feed/heat/entertain themselves or their families.
Providing a free-to-access baby bank, where people who are in financial difficulty or experiencing poverty can come and access much needed baby items like nappies, wipes, formula, toiletries etc.
We are seeking funding to provide transport for our helpers as we are currently paying for our own transport to get to and from the local shops to get the shopping for them.
A grant will provide vital additional resources for our Communities Team to increase reach and improve the mental wellbeing of more people living with dementia, their families and carers in East Renfrewshire. We want to develop and expand the Help Point network within East Renfrewshire to help us reach these people, especially those caring for a loved one living with dementia and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Rule Breakers is a social group for young people age 17+ with Additional Support Needs, it leads on from Monday night group which is an ASN group for young people under 16. We offer a safe space for young people to meet up and socialise, along with activities to support their social, emotional and economic wellbeing, we make sure they can access in-formal learning and recreation to build on soft skills and skills for life
To organise a large scale Information/signposting events with entertainment and lunch provided. A number of organisations will attend allowing people access to vital information in once place, this will include money advice, Social work, Housing, Carers advice, Social Care support, Community activities, Mental Health Services, legal advice and many more
To fund an exercise expert to deliver a low impact exercise class in our sheltered housing complex on a weekly basis.
To introduce keep-fit classes to the area. To introduce an afternoon Line Dancing class, an early evening Belly Dancing class followed by a Body Balance (pilates/yoga) type class. The second initiative would bring the local community together to explore, develop and share their creative skills.
To further establish, and build on the existing work of The Autistic Collective and to enable to provide Autistic-led training and support to:
• Carers
• Autistic People
• Black, Brown, Asian and Ethnic Minority families
• Staff and volunteers that provide services specific to Autistic people and their carers
• Universal services that Autistic people and their families access
To offer groups/services 4 days a week, supported by our volunteers and if successful, some paid sessional support and expertise. They aspire to offer groups to the most vulnerable in our community, those who have been impacted by Covid, and also those who now find themselves seriously affected by the cost of living crises. To offer a range of groups/sessions and supports and a warm space that will offer the opportunities to garner resilience and promote and support the foundations of good mental health.
To put the money towards purchasing new kits to wear during matches, boosting team morale due to the identity of being part of, and belonging to, a team. Furthermore, to purchase warm, waterproof jackets for the substitutes on a match day and purchase new training equipment, such as running poles and ladders, to improve the quality of the training sessions and in turn making our players fitter and healthier.
This project will support the WIRE group to work towards becoming self managed/constituted, whilst continuing to provide access to social support and therapeutic activity. The WiRe would open out the opportunities where speakers come to the wider female population of East Renfrewshire, who perhaps can’t attend weekly but would want to know about in terms of particular topics
To fund 25 support hours to deliver a range of specialist domestic abuse services.
• One to one support
• Groupwork activities
• Proactive outreach support to very vulnerable women
• MARAC ( Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) & IDDA ( Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate ) support
• Advocacy
• Signposting to further / additional support
• Crisis intervention/ duty & helpline support
• We also require funding for group work resources and expenses.
To develop new indoor and outdoor wellbeing spaces in our ‘Square Go’ community start-up village for young entrepreneurs.