CVS Inverclyde is delighted to launch the Inverclyde Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults 2025/26
The Scottish Government has invested £81 million in our Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults since 2021, with a further £15 million committed next year (2026-27) as part of the Scottish Government’s Fairer Funding Pilot. This is the first time the Communities Fund has been awarded on a multi-year basis. Applicants will have flexibility to apply for one and two year grants. The Fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention and aims to build and develop capacity within community organisations to support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. It aims to help tackle the impact of social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities made worse by the cost of living crisis.
Who Can Apply?
Applications will be accepted from a range of voluntary, ‘not for profit’ organisations, associations, groups and clubs or consortiums/partnerships which have a strong community focus.
This Fund aims to support initiatives which promote mental health and wellbeing at a small scale, grass roots, community level therefore it is anticipated that most applicants will have an annual income of less than £1m per year. However, in exceptional circumstances organisations with annual income in excess of £1m will be considered where they can demonstrate they will provide unique or new services not currently available in Inverclyde.
Fund Criteria
Eligible organisations that can deliver in Inverclyde can apply for funding for initiatives which focus on:
- Tackling priority issues within the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy such as prevention, suicide prevention and reducing social isolation and loneliness.
- Addressing the mental health inequalities faced by the ‘at risk’ groups locally.
- Projects which consider the on-going effects of the cost-of-living crisis.
While the fund can support the expansion of activities, it is intended to provide additionality, not replacement funding.
Grant Levels
For the first time multi annual funding is available on the basis that any approvals for a second year funding are indicative until April 2026. The majority of grant awards are expected to be less than £10,000 and the maximum grant that can be requested is £15,000 per annum. In 2025/26 £75,000 has been ringfenced for small organisations (defined as organisations with an annual income of less than £150,000).
Applicants can apply for up to 100% funding towards eligible costs. There is no obligation to provide match funding, however, if an organisation is providing match funding, the applicant must clarify the amount and confirm if this is committed.
Capacity Building Support
The CVS Inverclyde Team will offer a range of capacity building support activities. Some of these are specifically for organisations new to funding, unsuccessful in previous funding rounds, and those not currently constituted.
Prior to funding deadlines for Year 5:
- Meetings with specific organisations who support underrepresented groups.
- Overview of the Fund session in person 1030-noon on Monday 1st of September 2025
- Overview of the Fund online session 2-330pm on Thursday 18th September 2025. Presentations will be available on the website for those not able to attend the live session.
- In person training session – How to complete the funding application form. This session will be for organisations that have not previously been funded through this Fund, including applicants who have been rejected previously. To book a place on this session please email funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk.
- 1:1 advice and support for those organisations new to funding or rejected previously – these can be booked directly with the Funding team at funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk. Places will be limited and accessed on a first come first serve basis and will be available until 15th October 2025
- Application enhancement service – available between 22nd September and 10am on 14th October 2025. Organisations new to funding will be prioritised.
- Advice and support to un-constituted groups to become constituted.
- Advice on the fund can be sought from the funding team at funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk.
- Signposting to other funds where relevant.
How to Apply
Please read the following documents prior to starting an application to ensure your project/organisation meets the eligibility criteria, complements the fund priorities, and that you have all information required to complete the application form. Please ensure that you complete the correct application form as there are separate forms for annual and multi annual requests.
- Inverclyde Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing for Adults – Funding Guidelines.
- FAQs
- Grant application guidance (Annual or multi annual funding requests)
- Grant application form (Annual or multi annual funding requests)
- Budget template for annual funding request (Annual or multi annual funding requests)
All guidance is available at the bottom of this page.
Deadlines and Timescales – 2025/26
The following deadlines and timescales have been agreed by the Strategic Partnership Group for projects that can begin delivery before 31st March 2026.
| Deadlines and Assessment Timescales | |
| Funding information session(s) | 1st September 202518th September 2025 |
| 1-1 capacity building support | Available until 15th October 2025 |
| Funding and Assessment | |
| Deadline for 2025/26 projects | 10am Friday 24th October 2025 |
| Appraisal panel meeting | November 2025 |
| Grant approval/rejection notifications | Week commencing 1st December 2025 |
It is unlikely that there will be a second round of funding for projects in 2024/25 as such we recommend all organisations apply before the deadline of 10am on the 24th October 2025.
Late applications will not be assessed.
Contact detailsIf you require further information, please contact the Funding Team at CVS Inverclyde at funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk or call 01475 711733.
Fund Documents and Guidance
- ICMHWF – 2025 – FAQs
- Budget Template – Annual Requests – 2025-26
- ICMHWF Fund for Adults Application Form
- ICMHWF- Applicant Guidance – Year 5
- Budget Template – Multi Annual Request
- ICMHWB Fund Multi Year application
- ICMHWF – Applicant Guidance – Year 5
- ICMHWF Programme Guidance Years 5&6