Before submitting an application, you must read the guidance provided and make sure your project meets the criteria of the Fund. Please read the Fund Guidance and the Support to make a strong application documents.

What is the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund?

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (CMHWF) for Adults was established in October 2021 and to date, it has distributed around £51 million to community initiatives supporting mental health and wellbeing across Scotland. Funding for a fourth year was announced in March 2024 and a further £15 million is available for 2024/25. The fourth round of funding has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention - it aims to support grassroots community groups in tackling mental health inequalities and addressing priority issues of social isolation and loneliness, suicide prevention and tackling poverty and inequality. In Year 4, there will be a continued emphasis on responding to the ongoing cost of living crisis and supporting those facing socio-economic disadvantage, with a particular focus on supporting the six priority groups identified under the Best Start Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

Who can apply?

• Only VASLan Members can apply. VASLan membership is free and organisations can apply for membership by sending an email to membership@vaslan.org.uk.
• All groups and organisations no matter how small or inexperienced you are. The only condition is that the award must be used to deliver the service in South Lanarkshire.
• To qualify for this funding, your organisation must have an annual income of less than £1 million.

What can be funded?

• Equipment
• One-off events
• Hall and room hire (including appropriate refreshments)
• Staffing costs
• Training costs
• Transport
• Utilities and running costs
• Volunteer expenses
• Safety equipment and PPE

What are the Funding Priorities?

The funding priorities for Year 4 are:

• Suicide prevention
• Social isolation
• Addressing poverty and inequality
• Response to the cost of living crisis; and
• Tackling child poverty - through interventions which support adults

How much can I apply for?

• Micro Grant of up to £2,000 aimed at un-constituted organisations
• Small Grant - £2,001 - £7,500
• Main Grant - £7,501 – £20,000
• Partnership Grant £20,001 - £40,000

Important Dates

 The Fund will launch on the 30th of September and close on the 11th of November at 5pm. 

The panel will meet in January with payments made to successful organisations at the end of January and into February 2025. 

What is the Project Evaluation Process?

Evaluation questions can be found in the guidance notes - linked here. These questions have been supplied to VASLan from the Scottish Government. Additional questions maybe asked towards the end of your project. 

Useful Links

Please read the 2024 Fund Guidance for information on the Fund and Year 4 aims and priorities

Our document on Support to make a strong application will help you with the application process. 

Application Questions are also provided. This document cannot be submitted and will not class as an application to the Fund.