The third year of the fund opened in September 2023 and Inverclyde was awarded £240,739.48 to distribute to local charities and community groups. The overarching aim of the fund is to support community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and/or mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health.
CVS Inverclyde CEO, Charlene Elliott, said: “We are incredibly proud to have administered this funding on behalf of the Scottish Government once again.
“There’s a huge range and diversity of organisations and services that have received funding which reminds us that Inverclyde is a caring and compassionate place. Thousands of people will again benefit from the work being carried out by third sector organisations in Inverclyde.
“The fund was highly competitive and unfortunately, we received more applications than we could fund. However, as the local TSI we are here to support Inverclyde charities and voluntary groups with challenges they face including funding, so please reach out to us and take a look at the resources available on our website.”
Below are details of how three organisations are using the funding.
Compassionate Inverclyde
The project will target lone parents, carers and those impacted by loss and bereavement and will provide 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.
Inverclyde Carers Café
The Project aim is to provide group activities and facilities which will support better health and wellbeing for Carers. Specifically, the project will deliver
- An additional Carers Café
- Create a ‘chill out’ space for our 16-25 young carers group.
- Deliver a range of exercise classes such as yoga and Tai Chi
- Arts and Crafts session featuring, drawing and painting class, jewellery making class and card making classes.
- Wellbeing Day’ sessions in Port Glasgow and Gourock and online.
Ardgowan Hospice
The project will deliver a self-management programme to people with life limiting conditions across Inverclyde. Further developing their Moving Forward Pilot, this 8-week programme co-produced by those with life limiting conditions and their unpaid carers will provide a forum for participants to explore how to improve their financial, physical, emotional, social and psychological circumstances, empowering people through knowledge, resources and accessibility to improve their wellbeing. The aim is that by the end of the programme, participants will be able to manage things better for themselves, retaining control and choice in managing their conditions.
The full list of funded organisations:
- Homestart Renfrewshire and Inverclyde – £16,000.00
- Parklea Branching Out – £15,955.20
- Man On – £16,000.00
- Rig Arts – £13,551.20
- Financial Fitness – £10,000.00
- Safe Harbour – £16,000.00
- Families Outside – £9,824.00
- Mind Mosaic Counselling and Therapy – £15,227.28
- Ardgowan Hospice – £14,819.20
- Inverclyde Carers Centre – £12,304.00
- Morton in the Community – £10,657.80
- Moving on Inverclyde – £8,900.00
- Compassionate Inverclyde – £9,880.00
- Equal Futures – £9,236.80
- Kidron Project – £16,000.00
- Clyde Coast Radio – £10,600.00
- Craigend Resource Centre – £16,000.00
- Lyle Gateway – £9,546.00
- Inverclyde Faith in Throughcare – £10,238.00