supporting, developing and representing community groups,
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering

Grants awarded

  • All recipients of funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in Fife will be listed below


    This table is automatically updated whenever an applicant organisation signs the grant award contract. There may be projects not yet listed below that have been provisionally awarded funds but have not yet completed the legal formalities.


    The project summary detailed below has been created by Fife Voluntary Action to give a broad taste of that project's intentions. It does not form part of our agreement with the relevant award recipient.


    Click on an entry for further information


    Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |

    Organisation Project Awarded
    Age Concern Cupar Activity coordinator £14,500
    Summary: Age Concern Cupar opens Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm. They serve morning teas and coffees and offer a 2 course home cooked lunch. Transport to and from the Centre from approximately a 7 mile radius is provided. Advice and help with forms and applications are given as well as a friendly ear and confidential support. The aim is to support the welfare of older people in Cupar and surrounding areas. More and more the focus is turning to the mental health and well-being of the service users, many of whom are frail and have physical and cognitive issue associated with age. In the past an ad hoc approach to this type of activity was implemented but what has become apparent is the need for a delivery of a structured and tailored programme run by a dedicated person and support by a raft of volunteers. Through this funding an Activity Co-ordinator will work with users, staff and volunteers to design and implement a planned programme, which will include a wide range of activity sessions. This person will be responsible for training and overseeing the role of a volunteer, recruiting, training and implementation while establishing meaningful placements and nurturing relationships and providing a consistent, reliable service.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Anim8s Creative Parents Project £10,500
    Summary: Anim8s will engage a group of parents, including lone parents, in a creative process culminating in the creation of a photo story book based around key themes and issues that impact on their lives as parents. The group will be recruited in collaboration with Muirhead Outreach Project (MOP) who provide support to parents in Fife. The project will involve photography, model-making, image editing and creative writing. The group of 12 participants will benefit from peer support. Their mental health and wellbeing will be enhanced by the sharing of ideas, thoughts and feelings with others in a warm and safe environment. They will also benefit from working together to create a meaningful and rewarding output that will go on to be used by MOP as a tool for learning with other parents. The project will have two connected strands that will run concurrently. Participants will meet as a group to explore key themes relating to parenting, including Nurturing, Understanding, Connecting and Community. They will construct a narrative and create photo stories that will stress the importance of these to families. Parents will benefit from participation leading to increased confidence and self-esteem and those affected by isolation will be encouraged to socialise and share thoughts and feelings with others. They will also encourage parents to separately attend sessions with their children to create short photo stories to feature in the book alongside the thematic works. Creative writing by parents for children. Encouraging new ways of interacting with their children in a creative, nurturing way will be of benefit in terms of literacy, creative skills and the confidence to read to and with their children. Reading benefits development, learning, wellbeing and relationships; reading stories connects us to who we are and to our children, which has huge benefits in terms of mental health. Parents and children enjoying reading together. Anim8s are experienced in working with people who have stories to tell, and this will be done in a sensitive, responsible way. Discussions over 4 weekly sessions to agree and develop themes with a focus on parenting. 2 days shooting and editing of thematic stories. 16 x sessions where parents will work with their children to create models and stories. 4 x 1-day sessions of shooting and editing stories. Publication/celebration/sharing.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes
    Arden House Arden House: Hosting of FVA's Footcare Fife service £1,750
    Summary: Commencing in early 2024, Arden House has been providing FVA's Footcare Fife service with accommodation in its annexe on two days each week (Tuesday and Friday). Although the focus is on clients' feet, it is widely recognised that the service has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing, particularly in respect of elderly people with restricted mobility. This funding will enable Arden House to purchase and install additional roof insulation which will ensure that the facilities are at an appropriate standard for project to continue, this will help reduce heating costs and would allow the Charity to provide a more comfortable environment for FF clients and their carers waiting for their appointment. The FF volunteer works alone in the annexe for most of the time and it is the Charity's wish to improve their safety and security by providing a simple means of quickly summoning assistance should it be considered necessary. It is also desirable that the small annexe kitchen be upgraded by replacement of the sink unit and worktop, so that it is more suitable for use both by the volunteer and by carers while their relatives / friends are undergoing treatment.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Auchtermuchty Community Centre (SCIO) Auchtermuchty Men's Group £1,650
    Summary: The Men’s Group is a continuation of a previously funded project that is a volunteer run, friendly, welcoming space for men to meet on a weekly basis. The pilot was extremely successful and will continue for an addition 50 weeks. This fully inclusive group is open to all men over 18. It has around 14 members, the youngest being 32 and the oldest 78. They are always looking for ways to reach and attract new participants. The group counteracts the isolation some men experience, offering a free, accessible space to allow the men to form new friendships. It provides companionship, and a feeling of belonging in the community. The group is a safe space to share experiences, listen to others and be heard. Attendees can talk about their mental health and connect with others who understand what they are going through. The men chat over nourishing food e.g. soup. Some members bring homemade cakes, allowing them to feel they are contributing. The group aims to help advance personal development by building relationship skills, leadership skills, emotional awareness, self-esteem, general life skills and healing. The leaders provide moral support and signposting to additional resources, e.g. debt management and counselling services. The members can learn new skills and enjoy a range of activities, within the Centre and beyond. They use modelmaking and other activities to improve hand and finger mobility, coordination and strength. These activities strengthen fine motor skills and help stimulate the brain to improve muscle function. The group will continue to use the Centre sports hall every two weeks for indoor curling and archery. They have organized trips away from the Centre, offering new horizons and a breath of fresh air. They are planning trips for 2024- 2025 using the equipment already purchased, for example fishing equipment. These trips will be self-funded. The group is member led; the members decide on the activities they want to do; new members bring new ideas into the group. They bring together men who understand the benefits of diversity and want to accelerate towards a more inclusive world and workplace, learning and co-operating with each other through their meetings.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Benarty Community Forum Wellbeing at the Hub £14,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, which delivers a range of sessions, which focus on improving mental health and wellbeing in response to the growing challenges from the cost-of-living crisis. It addresses financial stress, isolation, and emotional difficulties through practical support and wellbeing activities that build resilience and promote emotional health. Activities include practical support from organisations such as Cosy Kingdom who helps with heating costs, reducing stress related to energy bills. Fife Law Centre offers free legal advice to ease anxiety around financial and legal issues. DWP assists with benefits applications and checks, supporting those with limited IT access. These services are provided monthly to alleviate financial pressures impacting mental health. Wellbeing and Creative Sessions. Introduction to Crochet, is a six-week course promoting relaxation and social connection, with opportunity to build on this. Arts and Crafts Workshops are bi-weekly activities such as wreath-making and card crafting to reduce isolation and foster creativity. Bereavement and Loss Support is a weekly support group offering a safe space to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and combat isolation. The above activity has been found to improve Mental Wellbeing, reduced stress and anxiety, with increased emotional resilience. Increased Social Connections, enhancing community support and reduce loneliness. Stress Reduction, providing practical support to ease financial and legal stressors. Creative Empowerment workshops, fostering self-expression and boosting self-esteem. All activities are free of charge for participants.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly
    Brag Enterprises Ltd Together Levenmouth - Bingo Buddies £35,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of the previously funded 'Bingo Buddies' provision which is run from The Hub on Levenmouth High Street. This is a sought-after provision and currently delivers 3 sessions per week. There is a dedicated member of staff and a volunteer supporting each session, people can participate in 2 games of Bingo, they also receive hot drinks and a meal. To remove any barriers to participation they reimburse any travel costs incurred. The Monday sessions are dedicated to care homes, to support residents Mental Health & Wellbeing and gives them an opportunity to have time away from the care home setting and participate and engage in a social activity that is no longer available within the care homes. The Wednesday and Thursday sessions are for the public, most of whom come via the local Foodbank. Support from a trained staff member is offered in poverty and benefits awareness, whilst also linking in with the local welfare support staff who can be present during these sessions to offer more in-depth advice and support. They have found that many clients benefit from this informal setting when discussing these issues and are more likely to engage with this support. These sessions are very busy and due to the high street location, they are easily accessible. In year 4 they are adding a new session which will specifically target adults with physical/learning disabilities, offering a safe, calm and supported environment to socialise and engage in activities within their local community. Due to the demand for the sessions and feedback from participants, they feel that it would be beneficial to provide a separate session, taking into consideration the needs and wants of individuals and tailoring the sessions accordingly. This would allow those with physical and learning difficulties/neurodivergent adults to attend when there is less noise, and the session will offer a calmer environment. They are also hoping to introduce a booking system, whereby, the sessions are booked in advance, and staff can easily deal with numbers attending, ensuring that the best possible provision is on offer.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Breathe Easy Fife Come Together 4 Well-Being £8,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, continuing to deliver and develop the additional group. The exercise sessions include singing which has proven to be a great way to boost well-being and makes a significant difference to those coping with poor mental health. They include singing sessions that are tailored to suit lung patients and the feedback from this has been positive. Participants will be able to access social opportunities, living with breathlessness often reduces the number of things you can do and places you can go so lives become more and more isolated and then this causes more anxiety which often leads to depression. This doesn’t only affect the patient but also the person who cares for them which is usually the husband/wife, so their lives become restricted, and this often has a huge impact on relationships. They will hold 2 well-being social events where they will bring groups together, both carers and cared-for person to enjoy entertainment, singalong, dancing and the company of others who are in the same position as themselves. Finally, they will continue to develop the skills and recruitment of volunteers so that we as a charity have a bank of knowledge and skills to help sustain this project long term both actively and financially.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Buckhaven Baptist Church Cosy Cafe and Food Distribution £14,500
    Summary: The is a continuation of a funded project from last year, building and developing on their existing services making them more responsive to the needs of users and to support them to build connections to the community and improve their mental health and wellbeing. The Cosy Cafe runs every Wednesday in the Baptist Church, Buckhaven. At the café participants are offered a free nutritious hot meal and drink, alongside a food larder service every Wednesday in a community which falls within the top 5% of poverty in Scotland (SIMD 2020). The Cafe caters for around 20 - 30 local people every week many of whom have significant addictions, mental health and other issues. The volunteers offer a welcoming space and actively work with those who attend and support and signpost them to benefits, health and other support services. The group has regular visits from The Well, Furniture Plus, Fife Council CLD and the Corra Foundation. The Food Larder also assists 40 - 50 people each week providing a bag of food worth £40 to those using the service for a charge £2. This service is open to everyone in the community and provides a significant support to those struggling to pay their heating and food bills. The funding will build on this and develop the service to include weekly activities and the provision of vouchers, help the volunteers and participants to have a greater understanding of mental health issues.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Citizens Advice & Rights Fife Families First £15,000
    Summary: Families First is a partnership project with Barnardo’s designed to support families across Fife who are at risk of having their children removed due to challenges such as financial instability, mental health struggles, and other complex life issues. This project combines Barnardo’s specialised family support services with CARF’s income maximisation expertise, providing a holistic approach that addresses financial worries, a key stressor affecting family stability and mental health. The income maximisation adviser works alongside Barnardo’s teams, including Stronger Families team, Empowering Change (intensive family support), the Mental Health and Wellbeing team, and the Children’s Rights team (providing advocacy). Through these referrals, they reach families in significant need, offering the financial knowledge and tools that help them cope, manage stress, and build resilience. Group sessions are being added to this service, enhancing the support families already receive. These group sessions, hosted in local CARF offices, will provide practical workshops on budgeting, debt management, benefit eligibility, and managing household energy costs. Group sessions offer families a supportive, stigma-free space to learn skills, share experiences, and feel less isolated in their financial challenges. Following these sessions, families requiring additional assistance will receive 1:1 support, where they can address individual needs in more depth. By combining group learning with individual support, they maximise the impact and provide families with accessible, empowering financial guidance.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    Clued Up Project Making it work for Families Family Learning Coordinator £11,000
    Summary: MIWF is a partnership project between Clued Up, Fife Gingerbread, CARF and FIRST, providing whole family support for vulnerable families affected by substance use. They provide proactive, holistic and flexible support working with families in an asset-based way to enable all family members to reduce barriers and progress individuals on their own journey to reach their full potential. The staff team will consist of 6 workers who provide key worker one to one support, group work programmes, teatime clubs, family learning, and family activities. A youth forum and adult forum is established to create an environment where the families can coproduce with the workers on what activities will be on offer and have their say about local delivery. Included will be Teatime clubs, one to be held per week for 48 weeks of the year. Families will learn to cook, laugh, learn and play together. Day trip activities, 3 to be held per year. Group work programmes, 2 to be held per year. Individual family learning session, every family who require family learning will receive weekly individual family sessions for 45 weeks of the year. 3-day residential experience for up to 5 families 15 to 20 individuals. The activities will be available to all families involved in the project approximately (40, up to 120 individuals) who are involved in the project. The planning for the activities will be done collectively between the MIWF team and the families over a period. The activities will include the outdoors and trips focusing on mindfulness, wellbeing, team building and building relationships, and fun. This will allow families to come together to provide peer support to each other, build on and increase family relationships, increase their confidence and self-esteem, increase awareness of the outdoors, and increase physical and emotional health and wellbeing.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    Crossroads Fife Mental Health & Wellbeing Champion £14,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion is pivotal in supporting staff as well as acting as a key contact for assisting service users and their carers through staff guidance. Individuals throughout Fife will be given access to activities that bring people together and reduce social isolation which will support to improve their mental health and wellbeing, it’s essential to ease this burden by equipping staff with targeted training and resources for effective signposting. This encompasses support for both colleagues and service users/carers and will be progressively extended into the befriending groups across Fife. The fourth-year grant will include 10 hours per week specifically to Mental Health & Wellbeing support within care and befriending services. Provide Mental Health & Wellbeing training for newly recruited volunteers and staff. Enable the Champion to continue delivering training to all support workers, volunteers, and any new recruits. Offer regular updates and ongoing support for staff and volunteers. Strengthen partnerships with other organisations to improve service signposting through the third-sector networks, including new initiatives funded by the Carers Strategy. Facilitate group activity participation for service users, ensuring minimal costs to alleviate financial stress tied to the cost-of-living crisis.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife
    Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support Early Support for recently bereaved adults in Fife £8,500
    Summary: This is an Early Support project in response to a sharp rise in recently bereaved people in Fife in distress and experiencing complex grief (grief complicated by additional factors such as poverty and isolation). Whilst counselling is not recommended for people within the first six months of bereavement as it can interfere with the natural healing process, some people do need a bit of support in this time. This is a specially designed a 7-step pathway which over 1-2 sessions will help recently bereaved people better understand their grief, help activate their own self-coping mechanisms and help prevent damage to their long-term health. This funding is to train and upskill the Fife team of local volunteers in delivering Early Support for recently bereaved people in distress and who may be at risk of suicide ideation. Also providing freelance qualified supervisors to provide monthly group volunteer supervision to enable volunteers to seek advice, discuss issues and ensure they keep a check on their own mental health. This team of volunteers will then provide small group and one-to-one support sessions for 200 recently bereaved people across Fife.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    Cutting Edge Theatre INSPIRE DISABILITY ARTS £10,000
    Summary: Cutting Edge Theatre runs two in-person drama classes for disabled people at both Foundation and Intermediate levels. This funding is to cover a third in-person group in Dunfermline to enable those who have been waiting some time to be able to access a drama group in their local area. These groups are not just for disabled people to experience drama but are a lifeline for some. This new group, will ensure that around 50 disabled people in Fife will have access to the Creative Arts and be able to build their confidence, self-esteem and improve their communication and life skills, all through experiencing drama in a safe and creative manner..
    Areas supported: Dunfermline
    Deafblind Scotland Don't Worry Be Happy £10,000
    Summary: The Don’t Worry Be Happy project addresses the mental health/wellbeing inequalities experienced by deafblind people and the lack of accessible mental health improvement information and guidance/support. The project offers deafblind people an equitable approach to improving their mental health through accessible phone/home-based one-to-one sessions including mental health brief interventions, advice, support including counselling sessions. The project is delivered by guide/communicators. (G/Cs). G/Cs will reach out to Deafblind people in Fife experiencing distress through telephone/face-to-face support in their preferred communication methods. Participants will receive evidence-based self-care resources - good mood food recipe cards, accessible/safe physical health exercise instruction sheets, good sleep guides/mindfulness/relaxation CDs in bespoke accessible formats (Braille/moon/audio CDs). Sensitive discussions will be initiated by staff trained in mental health brief interventions to determine requirements participants may have for emotional support. Where this has been identified, they will be also offered counselling sessions.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Dunfermline Advocacy Community Connections- Citizen Advocacy in West Fife £9,500
    Summary: This Community Connections Development Worker will support 65 people in West Fife over a nine-month period from January 2025, supporting 50 people in 25 Citizen Advocacy partnerships, 25 vulnerable adults in West Fife matched with a volunteer (25 local people), and an additional 15 vulnerable adults not matched with a volunteer. This funding will extend the hours of one of the existing and experienced development workers and will be matched with funding from The Henry Smith Charity to extend this project by a total of 3 months to October 2025. The Development Worker will be providing regular, at least monthly, support to the 25 partnerships, and providing direct advocacy support to an additional 15 vulnerable people. This direct support will be agreed individually with each person but is likely to be a weekly support session to identify advocacy needs, goals and outcomes so that progress can then be monitored using Dunfermline Advocacy and FVA monitoring processes and forms. During the 9 months of the project, they expect each partnership to meet between 20 and 40 times for between 1 and 2 hours at each meeting. These meetings will be mostly in person and will involve social activities along with more formal advocacy support, activities that will support people to be better connected (reduce loneliness and isolation) and to build confidence and have their voice heard. All partnerships can access a private training/meeting room that can be booked in the office if this is required to discuss confidential/sensitive issues or to make telephone or video calls, or for partnerships to use to participate in any virtual meetings or events that the vulnerable person requires. They are aware that people may be struggling with costs and will make a space available to meet as a partnership in the office, as they have a more relaxed meeting room in addition to the training room at the new office space at 14 Halbeath Road. Even for an individual coffee and catch up, it will be available to book if required. The SMART board funded in year 1 of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund has been moved and installed in the new training room and is available for partnerships to use to attend remote style meetings and to be used by the Development Worker to provide remote and hybrid training sessions should this be required.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | South West Fife
    Dunnikier Park Community Golf (DPCG) Community Roll-Out Expansion: Phase 3 £11,000
    Summary: In partnership with Active Fife, they have established an informal referral scheme for service users, through Golf for Health. To widen access to park golf, there are plans to instal park golf courses at Lochore Meadows Country Park and Levenmouth Promenade and, potentially, two other venues in Fife. Country Parks especially see the benefit of introducing Park Golf (with no-barrier access to community groups) as a way of promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing. The expansion to other partners/areas will be done by lending them each a starter pack around 30 Park Golf clubs/40 balls. The loan of clubs/balls is conditional on giving free access to local community support groups. Between April and October 2025, Dunnikier will run free weekly sessions, encouraging participants to be active and have fun outdoors - continue to grow their customer base. They are building a new website to promote Park Golf across Fife, and potentially further afield. In response to the weekly Tuesday Groups, from Jan to March and November to December, they are introducing a weekly social hub meeting (out with the playing season) to keep the social chat going throughout the year. All sessions are hosted by volunteers accredited in PVG, emergency first aid, and safeguarding in golf.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    EATS Rosyth EATS Greenspaces Supporting Mental Wellbeing in our Community £9,500
    Summary: This project will support people dealing with the cost of living crisis and improve their mental health & wellbeing by providing opportunities to connect with nature, be valued/reduce social isolation as well as providing access to food and increased physical activity. As part of the objective is to foster social inclusion, they aim to host events and workshops for people to come together, share, and learn, ensuring that marginalised groups feel valued and included.   Also, the green spaces objectives include implement & share practices in growing, sustainability practices, biodiversity/nature/wildlife conservation and develop the growing community. It is well established gardening is beneficial for health, gardening participants experience reductions in depression, anxiety, and body mass index, and improving quality of life. This project supports individuals facing long-term health conditions and socioeconomic disadvantages, offering a pathway to better mental health, reduced isolation, and increased resilience through engagement in gardening, food growing, and cooking classes. The Greenspaces coordinator will have an addition 7 hours per week to develop and run activities, which include, Improve and develop the weekly supported Volunteer session 10.00 - 12.30 for those with long-term health conditions and learning disabilities. Participants will work alongside staff and volunteers to plant, grow, and maintain the Centenary Orchard. They will have a communal lunch provided by the EATS Hub, and they aim to engage with 15 participants a week. Develop an additional volunteer growing group on a Thursday morning to engage more individuals to come together in the Community Garden to gain the benefits described above and take food grown home with them, develop a group of 8 participants per week. Summer months provide 8 cooking classes using field to fork principles to harvest, cook and eat the food grown in the greenspaces, engaging 10 participants per session.
    Areas supported: South West Fife
    Enable Connecting Communities £9,500
    Summary: The Connecting Communities project in  Fife is an initiative that unites 20 adults with learning disabilities to create peer-support networks, reducing social isolation, enhancing resilience, and improving mental health. Initially, these groups will focus on walking activities, gradually expanding into various social and cultural pursuits across the region. By encouraging participation in local events, the project will boost participants' confidence and resilience, fostering meaningful connections with each other and their communities.    The plan is to utilise maps from Treasure Trails, an organisation that develops self-guided themed treasure hunts to encourage exploration of local areas. This will further support mental health and wellbeing by providing opportunities for social interaction and community involvement, ultimately establishing a supportive peer network for participants.    The funding is to recruit an experienced Community Coordinator to facilitate the service, provide resources for the groups, and cover venue costs during poor weather.   Decisions about the activities the group engages in, including where they will meet and where they will go, will be made by the group participants. This will ensure it meets their needs but also will further reduce barriers to engagement for adults who have a learning disability.   This project will significantly reduce social isolation and loneliness for adults with learning disabilities in Fife, promoting community engagement and friendship-building. It will enhance participants' knowledge of local resources, empowering them to access these services independently, creating a lasting impact in their lives. 
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    Fairway Fife Community Re-engagement Project £12,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, this is a community re-engagement and mental health recovery project for adults, aged 16+, with disabilities. They are working with a marginalised group who are isolated and disengaged from people and activities within their local community. Their needs are at an all-time high and the provision serving those needs is severely diminished. The beneficiaries suffer inactive lifestyles, have no access to structured or meaningful activity, very little interaction with other people outside the immediate family and struggle with their mental and physical health as a consequence. The project facilitates regular access to structured social and physical activity which improves mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Year 1, 2 & 3 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing funding helped to expand their existing service and in year 4 they will continue providing this support and expanding in the year ahead. The staff and volunteers work with small groups of 4 adults daily, 5 days per week who have disabilities. This work focuses on integrating those who have become reclusive and withdrawn with normal community experiences and regular activity that supports their mental wellbeing. The staff and volunteers mentor the groups out in the local community, helping them connect with people and services. Depending on the interests of the group, they may go shopping, out for lunch, see a movie at the cinema, go for a coffee at a local cafe or any other activity relevant to their wants and needs. They also have a range of planned activities for the groups arranged with their partners. These include arts & crafts, costal walks, team sports, cooking skills and various outdoor activities at Lochore Meadows.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline
    Falling UP Together (SCIO) Falling UP Living in Art £30,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, Success is the Therapy (SITT), they provide participants with broader and deeper support for mental health and wellbeing. This process is derived from action research into the Falling UP Living in Art project. SITT addresses societal inequalities of opportunity amongst participants, particularly those who are neurodiverse, and will also enhance the 2 delivery-processes of Living in Art (LIA) & Und die Welt (UDW - being in the world). SITT’s process coordinate’s and integrates studio solo-activities with a programme of 10 outdoor communal activities to form a new portfolio of complementary experiences. This provides additionality through its holistic function of bespoke planning; monitoring & evaluation of participants experiences from their engagement within LIA and UDW processes. Participants can expand their creative engagement through lifelong learning to evolve their identity as artists, combating poor mental health, anxiety, suicidal ideation, social isolation, low confidence, and low self-esteem. In year 4, there will be a total of 750 sessions, supporting 200 beneficiaries. Due to sustained demand, the sessions will operate over 6 days and one evening each week. To ensure that the project can respond to current needs, the evaluation & planning is informed by many of their partners-these include psychiatrist Dr Gary Wannan & psychologist Dr Blanca Ramirez-Ruiz, using the context of data from SAMH in Mid Scotland & Fife, Know Fife, and Audit Scotland’s report on Adult Mental Health. They have structured a range of health-enabling partnership-focused creative environments that encourage & develop trust, relaxed working, outdoor physical activity, collaboration and enjoyment through being artistically engaged and sociable.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy | North East Fife
    Families in Trauma and Recovery Stepping Stones - A Lived Experience Recovery Project £9,000
    Summary: This project is a weekly drop-in peer support group for adults whose mental health and wellbeing is under strain due to social isolation, anxiety and depression and other adverse traumatic events. A peer worker, plus a volunteer supports the group in their weekly session by providing a programme of psychoeducational principles, in a very informal way - to help inform and tackle some of the issues they may be facing. This will help to reduce social isolation, by allowing a space for them to connect with others in similar situations. It also allows the group to have their voices heard and responded to and informs and educates the group about recovery and what steps can be taken. The focus is on early intervention and prevention, although experience teaches us that many will be in crisis. Therefore, participants will be signposted to other appropriate services which may also be able to support them in their journey of recovery. But the most important part of the project is to empower others to see that they can help themselves and support them to devise their own recovery journey. The peer worker, along with at least one volunteer, will deliver a continuous rolling 6-week programme of education and support and will use the trauma informed Peer2Peer course to help do this.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Families Outside Support for the wellbeing of families affected by imprisonment in Fife £14,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project. Approximately 540 individuals of the 8,000+ prison population come from Fife, and they often leave a family behind. This project provides a helpline and 1:2:1 support activity, available to these families. The helpline offers a range of information and support to families while also signposting to local services. For many families, the helpline is the first port of call when they are highly anxious and at their lowest ebb, looking for immediate support. Often callers are making sense of what is happening and coming to terms with what is a traumatic change in the way they must live. The helpline also refers people to support in their own area, including referrals to Families Outsides other services. The direct 1:2:1 community-based support enables families to access their local RFSC who offers holistic, solution-focused support, working with them to identify outcomes they wish to achieve. Overall, the RFSC responds quickly and flexibly on behalf of the individuals they support, helping them identify and address needs, both short and long term. Helping them stabilise housing/income. Linking people to specialist support such as mental health and addiction services. Providing information/advocacy about criminal justice processes. Ensuring communication links to the relevant prison. Helping parents to ensure children and young people re-engage with school. Support in attending prison visits. Ensuring professionals working with families are informed/supportive. The support helps individual build self-confidence, capacity, connection resilience and resources to cope with their experience. They enable and help empower them to manage their mental wellbeing, loneliness, social isolation. The individuals engaged with can be anyone, no one is immune from having a family member go to prison. Families are self-defined, with no specific family structure, relationship, blood connection, or location required for people to receive support. Families can receive support for as long as they need. Ultimately, the focus on the importance of strengthening relationships, building resilience, and reducing stress. These in turn increase opportunities for families to overcome disadvantages brought about by familial imprisonment and increases their confidence to engage as active members of their communities.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    FEAT Trading CIC Silverburn Staycations £11,000
    Summary: Silverburn Park Campsite offers a tranquil location for people to get away from the daily grind and relax in beautiful surroundings with woodland trails and access to the beach, benefiting mental health and wellbeing. This funding will provide exclusive access to the glamping pods 4 weekdays per week in 2025-2026 to other local organisations supporting disadvantaged individuals and families. Each organisation will receive a share of vouchers to distribute according to their knowledge of their service users and who would gain the maximum benefit from this opportunity. They will target those who are struggling with life's challenges and pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Fife Carers Centre Caring for the Carer: Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme £10,000
    Summary: This is a 6-week mental health & wellbeing programme for unpaid carers, to help them manage stress, improve their mental health, and develop coping strategies for their caring roles. The aim is to provide emotional support, practical coping tools, and a safe space for unpaid carers to discuss their challenges and mental health, leading to improved resilience and well-being. The programme consists of six weekly 90-minute group sessions, with each week focusing on a different aspect of mental health and caring. Sessions will be led by Fife Carers Centre’s Training & Development Manager, with input from an external counsellor, Active Fife, and mindfulness coach. Where possible they will utilise other charitable organisations that are commissioned by the health and social care partnership to ensure collaboration while supporting unpaid carers. The programme will involve a mix of psychoeducation, group discussions, and practical exercises: Introduction and Understanding Carer Stress Emotional Self-Care and Building Resilience Managing Anxiety, Guilt, and Negative Emotions Boundaries and Effective Communication Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques Planning for the Future and Maintaining Wellbeing. This programme will provide crucial emotional and mental health support, while also promoting carers to reconnect with themselves and their own needs. By doing so, it will help build a stronger foundation for their wellbeing, preventing the risk of burnout and the breakdown of their caring role. Additionally, the programme will foster connections between carers in their local communities, helping to combat isolation and create a sense of shared understanding. Open to all carers experiencing stress, anxiety, or challenges to their well-being, these sessions offer a supportive space for anyone facing the pressures associated with their caring responsibilities.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Fife Centre for Equalities Companion Support £14,500
    Summary: This project focuses on improving the mental health and well-being of those across Fife, particularly those from marginalised communities, those with neurological conditions, and those being impacted by the current cost of living crisis. Through monthly get togethers they provide a supportive and inclusive space where participants can make meaningful connections with others in their community. They host monthly gatherings which encourages those experiencing social isolation to meet new people and provides them with a sense of belonging and community. These gatherings not only help reduce social isolation and improve mental health, but they also provide participants with essential resources including signposting to support services and making new connections. They are continuing to develop the volunteer team in what is offered - including more support and guidance among the current cost of living crisis, such as working with warm spaces, and liaising with other groups and organisations to offer advice and create more resources with tips to help and offering a workshop to help them navigate through. They also aim to work with neurodiverse focused organisations and groups across Fife to support neurodiverse clients, making themselves more accessible offering written and visual support and adapt activities to be more accommodating, as well as offering a quiet space at each event. Through this project, they aim to build a sustainable volunteer network that drives long-term impact, benefitting both the volunteers and the participants.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Fife Contemporary Art Moves Fife: Remote and Isolated Places £9,500
    Summary: Art Moves Fife, created by Fife-based artists Kate Downie and Gillian McFarland, has developed significant expertise delivering art activities that directly involve participants and connect artists with the communities in which they are based. They will work with Art Moves Fife to deliver a total of four Art Moves which will tackle the negative impact of mental ill-health caused by geographical isolation experienced by many people in Fife. Art Moves are time and location specific creative activities which enable the movement of a small group of participants, working alongside artists living in their community, across or around a pre-determined route or area. The Move can be on foot, wheeling, or on public transport and art activities and interventions are instigated or engaged in by the group within the landscape during the Move. Each Art Move takes a day or half day, and focuses on areas, issues and discussions that are important to that group location or community. The four Art Moves in this project will happen in two locations working with two distinct targeted groups. The first pair will be in a highly rural location away from easy public transport routes and connecting geographically isolated communities. The second pair will be in a rural location, high on the SIMD index for isolation due to financial and social deprivation. Creating two Art Moves in each location, repeated a period of time apart, working with the same or related participant groups will allow stronger and closer connections between the participants and their Art Move experiences. This project sets up structures for participants to be able to do this in the second Art Move at each location and expect that this more responsive experience will increase the mental health and wellbeing impact of the Move.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Fife Gingerbread Short break £5,500
    Summary: The aim of the Short Break Project is to improve the mental wellbeing of the parent by offering a fully funded short break away from their home and the worry that come with living in poverty. This funding will support parents who are socio-economic disadvantaged and who are severely impacted by the cost-of-living crises by offering a break from the grind of juggling funds to ensure they pay bills, put food on the table and feed their fuel meters. Living with constant financial worries severely impacts upon parent’s self-worth, esteem and hope for the future. This project offers a break away from home, in a place of beauty, at no cost offers some well needed respite. We propose that 10 parents and their families will have a 3-night break in a cottage at Cambo Estate, in the countryside and by the sea. All costs are covered - including food, activities, transport and accommodation. Parents will also have cash in their pockets so removing stigma of vouchers and allows full participation.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Fife Sports & Leisure Trust Health & Wellbeing social cafes £10,000
    Summary: The Health & Wellbeing Social Cafes are available in the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust venues. These are held either before or after a health and wellbeing class and will be run by a health and wellbeing instructor. These cafes provide an opportunity for those attending the health and wellbeing classes to further develop social connections with people from their local area. This will help promote good mental health. It will also enable people from the local community, who do not participate in physical activity, an opportunity to access the leisure centre, meet new people and develop social connections. It will also give the cafe facilitator an opportunity to promote the benefits of physical activity to those attending and encourage them to take up activity. The idea for social cafes is currently being tested in 2 locations and the feedback from those attending was these have become an important part of people lives. People have also said that they find increasing social contact has been the most important contribution they can make to their health. They have seen an increased uptake in attendance at the health and wellbeing classes in these venues as a result, therefore increasing physical activity levels of people in Fife. The social cafes will be targeted towards older people. Feedback from the existing health class participants and those who are attending the pilot social cafes has shown that many are widowed, live on their own or have a caring role for a spouse. Providing opportunity for this group of people to increase social contact will improve mental health.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    Fife Young Carers Young Adult Carers 7 Habits Project £10,000
    Summary: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey is a self-help course that focuses on the development and adoption of seven crucial habits to be successful in your goals, wants & needs. The Young Adult Carers (YAC) Service has run the full 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens training before, over 3 days as a residential, and the feedback was excellent every time. It is offered as a residential for multiple reasons; the nature of the full training can be quite intense so having fun and relaxing activities at the end of the day is a good way to decompress and reflect. It allows for time to socialise with others, lessen any social anxieties and build friendships, gives them time to themselves away from caring and allows them to refocus and prioritise their own wants and needs. The main part of this project would be to run a 7 Habits residential which consists of the training itself, a couple of nights away at a hotel, use of facilities, time to relax with peers and time for themselves. They also offer a one-day workshops for those who can’t commit to a full 3 days but could still benefit from some of the techniques. Furthermore, a 'pre' and 'post' 7 Habits respite opportunities is offered to ensure the full 3 days training is embedded fully and the young people get more time together which has been requested in the past.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes
    Fifers for the Community Fifers for the Community - Improving parenting skills £14,500
    Summary: The project is targeted at parent/carers who are struggling to cope with challenges of raising young families for a variety of reasons including unemployment, low income, poor literacy/numeracy, poor mental health, drug addiction, difficult personal relationships with partners or dealing with the challenges of being a single parent. The intention is to target one or two families from each of the four participating schools. It is planned to run the programme for 32 weeks in 8 week blocks. The programme will take place out with school hours. Due to the individual needs of the adults attending, it is possible that some participants might move on and be replaced by others in need during the programme. It is expected that they will work with a maximum of 32 people during the project. There will be a programme of activities that supports those attending to learn new skills and seek additional support that ultimately improves their personal wellbeing. This will, in turn, help those attending to become better parents and more able to support their young children in their formative years. The programme will initially focus on encouraging adults to attend sessions at Buckhaven Community Trade Hub facility in Leven. The sessions will focus on how to cook on a budget and will be led by trained staff from BCTH. Incentives will include the opportunity to have a cooked meal with family on the premises and the option to take away equipment, utensils and food that can be used at home. During the sessions, other partner agencies will attend and work with the adults to identify other underlying issues where they need support. A more bespoke programme of support can then be developed for each attendee. Childcare provision will also be made available during the sessions and further work will be done to support the young people and identify the challenges they have with home and school life. The main outcome they are looking to achieve is for adults participating in the programme to develop a sense of dignity, self-worth, feeling able to cope and in control as a parent and so create a stronger, more functional and stable family unit. This will in turn foster a sense of security, achievement and well-being, and provide a settled foundation for a family.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Forgan Arts Centre SCIO Queering the Clachan (clachan is a Scottish Gaelic term for a small village or settlement) £40,000
    Summary: Queering the Clachan will support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of LGBT+ people living in rural Fife through creativity, collectively, and connection. This is an intergenerational project for people 16 years and up. Queering the Clachan is an artist-led 12-month programme with 3 strands that respond to recommendations from Further Out, The Scottish LGBT Rural Equality Report by the Equality Network and LGBT Youth Scotland’s Rural Report 2023 to provide both in-person and online support to cultivate and create the long-term conditions for good mental health and wellbeing. A creative in-person programme of activities across NE Fife taking place in the smallest villages from pubs, village halls, and corner shops to community gardens, parks, and Forgan Arts Centre. Participating communities and groups will be selected by a panel of LGBT+ people and partners and in consultation with Community Councils and local people. There will be minimum of 24 events of varying scale in a broad range of site-specific settings. Activities will include workshops, reading groups, talks, screenings, socials, and day trips. The aim is to develop safe visibility for LGBT+ people to live authentically in smaller socially conservative communities, reducing social isolation through local support and network building. A place-based programme of training and accreditation to the LGBT Charter Scotland for businesses, Community Councils, schools and community groups that will create a culture of acceptance and visible support for LGBT+ people. This will highlight the needs of at-risk LGBT+ people to their communities, developing local infrastructure that will effectively support the mental health needs of rural queer people. This learning programme will cultivate an acute understanding of the issues facing LGBT+ people reducing discrimination, mental health crises, and invisibility. A digital programme of signposting and support that means help is always on hand, no matter how remote or rural you are. The digital programme will ensure a rapid response to acute mental health episodes, a listening ear 24/7, and the solidarity that comes with connecting with people with a similar lived experience anonymously. Queering the Clachan is a development of pilot projects Rural Connections and Queer Makers Club. It embeds the learning from participants ensuring it effectively meets the needs of LGBT people.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Greener Kirkcaldy Let's Grow Together £10,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded Let’s Grow Together project, which has had a lot of excellent feedback from participants on how it has improved their lives. In year 4 this will be extended to other adults at risk of social isolation and poor mental health, particularly to target lone parents, carers, and low-income households. The project uses a highly inclusive and participatory approach. They are recruiting and supporting volunteers from different groups within Kirkcaldy to develop and maintain the garden, grow food and improve biodiversity by creating wildlife habitats. The gardens provide a safe outdoors space with staff acting as facilitators and providing training and support. They will take referrals from other local support organisations and hold volunteering sessions at different times and days, including Saturdays, to ensure inclusivity. The project will improve mental health and wellbeing by providing good quality volunteering opportunities, bringing people together, tackling social isolation and loneliness, connecting people with the outdoors and supporting people to get active, gain skills, get more involved in their community and be empowered to access additional support. The project offers weekly volunteer sessions for 30 volunteers, training and support for volunteers, to develop their knowledge, skills, confidence and support networks and empower them to take on more responsibility. Raise awareness of, and help people to access, other support provisions, for example community meals, community fridge, energy advice service and SAMH's mental health drop-in cafe. Volunteer-led community events, inviting people of all ages to connect locally, inspiring new people and showcasing the garden and volunteer achievements.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    Grow West Fife SCIO The Yum Club - Happier Communities in Tough Times £23,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project which will build on the success of the Yum Club, established to boost the resilience and happiness of the growing number of people whose mental health and wellbeing is adversely impacted by food insecurity, those most dependent on foodbanks, by bringing them together to reconnect, make new friends, and learn new skills. How to cook tasty, nutritious and affordable meals, plan and shop for meals to save money. They aim is to expand the Yum Club from the 13 households it currently supports to a further 20 households so more of those living with the mental health threat of foodbank dependency can enjoy the benefits felt by the current group. Participants come to the beautiful walled garden kitchen each week to learn a new recipe, take home a veg box, share a community lunch, make new friends and support each other throughout the week on the mental wellbeing challenges of food poverty through the Yum Club WhatsApp group. Learning new dishes and eating together reduces their social isolation and recreating them at home not only nourishes them in the fight to protect their mental wellbeing but lift their self-esteem, and fosters achievement so that even in tough times, they’ll be able to make their loved ones feel better. A new weekly vegetable growing group has been introduced to existing Yum Club cooking group attendees and others socially isolated so they can enjoy the peace, camaraderie and achievement of growing their own food at group and at home, saving money, improving their nutrition and mental health, the same benefits experienced by several volunteers who recently returned to work after long-term mental health sick leave, boosted by friendships made, skills learned and the increased self-esteem felt from playing valued roles in the group and harvesting the crops they have nurtured. They are expanding the community shed group and inviting more people living with mental health challenges and financial hardship to learn new DIY, woodworking and repair skills, improve their self-esteem and sense of achievement.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | South West Fife
    Heids and Herts Scotland The Village Creative £7,500
    Summary: The Village Creative initiative continues into 2025, developing new projects with eight selected villages to enhance community connections through creative activities. Since its start in 2021, Village Creative has brought communities across Northeast Fife and East Neuk together, addressing loneliness and boosting mental well-being through diverse, participant-led projects. In 2025, they will expand the client-led approach, allowing community members to shape themes and design projects that align with local needs. Village selection will prioritise areas where leaders are committed to long-term community resilience. New launch and wrap-up workshops will support leaders by sharing insights, improving participation, and refining methods for measuring well-being impact using tools like the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). The approach builds on past successes and insights, incorporating feedback and project documentation from previous leaders. This learning will guide the design of upcoming initiatives, emphasizing creative, accessible solutions that go beyond traditional art forms to include writing, cooking, and digital media. The projects foster resilience and well-being by empowering local leaders and breaking down loneliness.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Hyperclub 21+ Activity Programme £10,000
    Summary: Hyperclub is based in Lochgelly, a small rural town in Fife, it is a deprived rural community surrounded by areas ranked as the 5% most deprived by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. The project is aimed at people with disabilities aged 21+, this will run six days each week and will include the following activities - pottery, clay work, painting, jewellery making, gaming, sewing, mixed art & crafts, cooking, baking, beauty therapy and a mental health group. There will be different activities running each day in cycles and aim to work with 10-20 disadvantaged people from the community participating in each activity. There will be a good range of activity to ensure inclusivity to different interests and they will be accessible on different days and times to suit people with other responsibilities. For most, this will be the only structured recreational/social opportunity that they have access to during the week. This is run through group sessions to encourage communication, peer to peer support, friendships, teamwork, development of community support networks and improved mental health and wellbeing. The goal for this project is to bring disadvantaged people together in a central location where they can connect through shared experiences and build relationships that reduce isolation and provide means of developing a fulfilling and happy life.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly
    Kindred Advocacy Kindred Fife £10,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project where Kindred, a peer led organisation feed into Fife’s mental health forums and directly access Fife CAMHS and ASN forums. In the last year, the team supported 220 parents and expect similar/increased numbers in 2025. Kindred Fife offer services to the parents of Neurodivergent children in Fife who will have better access to services which help to tackle poverty and prevent crisis through advocacy support, financial information advice and practical support (including a kingdom wide resource pack) and sign posting to other statutory and third sector organisations. Through this Fife have a stronger local infrastructure which can respond effectively to the mental health and wellbeing support needs of at-risk groups, like Kindred parents through Kindreds extensive local connections and networking. With long established relationships, the Fife manger supports parents' mental health by providing a project which has 3 strands and is a continuation of Kindreds activities, evolving from parent feedback, adding additionality into their project. Kindred advocacy service and signposting peer support group counselling. The counselling will increase parents' resilience, to cope with daily challenges, benefitting through access to further services. Guidance and reflection will prevent crisis, such as family break up due to the impact of caring on their mental health. Referrals come from the CAMHS service, health visitors, social services, education, other third sector organisations and self-referrals and receives direct referrals from the NHS Distress Brief Intervention team (through SAMH). Peer support groups are available weekly during school term time, one week in person and one week online. They expect to support 10 parents, for at least 20 sessions. Groups will be held at Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt, Avenue, Dunfermline, as parents have previously expressed interest in this central location. Whilst at the groups, parents will receive emotional support and practical information on income maximisation, get support around education placement, grants for specialist equipment, housing Advocacy support for statutory meetings with health including Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS), social work, etc. Parents attending the service will have an increase in their capacity to cope, have reduced stress, anxiety and better resilience.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy
    Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project Young Adults Counselling Service £26,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a counselling service funded through the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults. They have 2 qualified and experienced counsellors to deliver one to one therapeutic counselling and support to young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who live in Fife and who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. KASP will also allocate 2 volunteer counsellors to this project to provide counselling. This will continue to fast track young people into the service and enable them to get the support when they need it rather than waiting on a lengthy waiting list. One to one counselling and support will include crisis support and psychoeducation enabling clients to reduce/eliminate the symptoms of trauma caused by CSA. KASP provides counselling and support that targets the symptoms of early childhood trauma which can reduce/eliminate the symptoms that have the potential to impact negatively on clients. Effective counselling can impact positively on an individual's relationships.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club Back On Track £14,500
    Summary: The Back on Track project provides a full day placement & group-work sessions weekly for up to 12 candidates per cohort. This is a structured programme over 12 weeks. Participants will work through Youth Achievement Awards for young adults between 16- 25. There is individual wellbeing sessions offered, post programme sign posting and an opportunity for ongoing volunteering where appropriate. The groupwork includes discussions on health and nutrition, physical fitness, bio chemicals, sleep, coping strategies, empathy, drugs and alcohol, social relationships, including online social media. Resources will be used such as www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/youth-mental-health/. Introductions to Clued Up and Barnardo’s Mental Well-being team will be made, by them co-delivering sessions. Individual work is an opportunity for engagement with the Community Education worker or Social Worker, to discuss more intimate / private issues such as substance misuse, suicide, abuse, trauma, self-harm, if these individual sessions are sought, the primary aim is to refer on to specialist services. After the group work session, they focus on motorcycle maintenance and mechanics, health and safety, use of tools. Then through the afternoon they are out on the motorbikes learning off-road motorcycle skills and riding techniques. This is physically demanding work. The programme will encourage and help participants to develop a healthy body = health mind. Throughout the programme, participants will be part of the off-road biker fraternity. The club is a welcoming family of motorcyclists and are keen to focus their attention on younger adults.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    Kirkcaldy YMCA Talking Cafe £10,000
    Summary: Taking Cafe is a drop-in mental health support group for individuals aged 16 and over who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing. They will deliver two Talking Cafe drop-in groups every week across the two centres, the YM in Hendry Crescent and in the Gallatown Hub. The TC group is a drop-in for adults aged 16+ who are struggling with low mood, anxiety, social isolation and who require support with accessing services such as housing, welfare support, employability, education and health. The TC is a place where people can meet new people in a warm, welcoming environment, take part in activities such as crafts and music sessions, have a hot drink and snack and where they can be signposted to services which will help meet their needs. The TC's will regularly host other agencies and third sector services, such as Welfare Support, Cosy Kingdom, Fife Voluntary Action, Fife Carers, CARF, FHSCP, ADAPT and Greener Kirkcaldy along to chat to people and let them know the availability of support in their area. The TC is also where people can learn new skills, build their confidence and increase their self-esteem, leading to volunteering opportunities, both within Kirkcaldy YMCA and with other local groups and organisations. The project will help 200 people over the 12 months, from at risk groups such as lone parents, mothers aged less than 25, carers, people with poor mental health, people who experience issues relating to poverty and people who are disabled.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    Later Life Choices Glenrothes Let's Invest in Mental Health £7,000
    Summary: The Let's Invest in Mental Health project is a service that supports the mental health of new and existing volunteers as well as staff members. This project creates a culture of support and early intervention within the local community impacted by the Cost-of-Living Crisis. The main goal is to combat loneliness and isolation by creating a supportive environment where people can connect and support each other. The Mental Health Champion will provide a Mental Health First Aider for the staff and volunteers. They will conduct support and development meetings for volunteers, attend and deliver training about Mental Health, volunteer recruitment and training.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes
    Link Church Various Mental Health Support Projects £5,500
    Summary: The Hope Haven Bereavement Group and Cafe support those who have lost loved ones. it is open to anyone and is free of charge. A safe space where grief is accepted and understood, and where those who are struggling can be supported in a safe and welcoming environment. The group takes place one evening a month in the premises and one afternoon a month in an alternative venue. Members will receive contact between meetings through text messages, the Facebook page and meetups for individuals who are struggling. They host a fortnightly Ukrainian support group which has been running for the past 2 1/2 years, where people can come together to meet others in a similar situation, establish friendship and community and support one another. The following support has been provided, clothing, help with household items, housing and grant applications; a weekly English class, and advocated on their behalf for various reasons. There is regular contact made with around 25 families who find this space invaluable. This group aims to develop a community where the Ukrainians can feel they belong, are supported and where they don’t feel isolated and alone. To mitigate the pain of the trauma they have experienced and continue to experience. To offer a place for people to speak their own language. To enable the group to share their culture. To address or signpost any problems as they arise in hope of reducing stress and frustration around differing processes. To mark important dates e.g. the start of war, Ukrainian Independence Day and Christmas. They have introduced a "Sew Much Fun Sewing Group" to work with the existing Ukrainian group and others in the Dunfermline area. 12 people share 4 sewing machines. Four volunteers ensure that people are well supported. The aims of the group are to enable people to connect with others and reduce social isolation to have an opportunity to learn a new skill or to share skills with one another and to create among other items.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline
    LinkLiving Managing Well £40,000
    Summary: Managing Well is a pilot project which aims to reduce the barriers to accessing services through the provision of group sessions for survivors of childhood trauma. Sitting alongside the mainstream self-help service (Better than Well), this peer-led project will enable survivors on the waiting list for one-to-one support to access support more quickly, focusing on those most in need. Survivors will be supported to better understand the impact of trauma on their mental health and to develop emotional self-regulation techniques to better manage mild to moderate mental health issues arising from this trauma. Initially the project will focus on areas of most demand (Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath) but the ability to deliver flexibly will ensure that should the demand be higher in other localities. Survivors will have access to up to 7 supported self-help group sessions, co-facilitated by an experienced self-help coach and a paid peer-support worker. Although the sessions will be delivered face to face, there will be scope to join remotely to further remove barriers and increase accessibility.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy
    Live Music Now Scotland Music to Lift More Spirits 2025 £7,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, Music to Lift the Spirits was a project that was funded in Year 1, which was a huge success in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of 494 care home residents, day centre service users and members of staff across Fife. It offered residents an experience within their home that they wouldn’t usually have both improving mood and stimulation. Lynn Kyle, Unit Manager, Matthew Fyfe Home Music to Lift More Spirits will once again inspire over 400 care home residents through 30 participatory performances, five in each of the six care homes: four previous care homes and two new venues, with the life-changing impact of high-quality live music. They assessed the locations to ensure they fall within Deciles 1-4 of the SIMD, allowing them to reach those who need the service most. Venues will be Methilhaven Home and Abbotsford Nursing Home in Methil; Matthew Fyfe Care Home and Bandrum Nursing Home in Dunfermline; Scoonie House in Leven; and Ostlers House Care Home in Kirkcaldy. The residencies will take place over nine months, utilising the highest quality emerging artists from the LMNS roster. The residents will receive the finest and most captivating performances available from Scotland's most exciting up and coming artists who have been specially recruited and trained to perform and work with individuals with dementia. This project will support people and communities dealing with the cost-of-living crisis by lifting the spirits of residents and staff, helping with mental health deterioration. These challenging financial times have a considerable impact on staff morale and visiting families as the care homes face increased costs, reduced service capacity and staffing pressures. The residents will have improved mental health and wellbeing due to being able to access high quality live music. The musicians will create a sense of community over the five weeks, helping to reduce social isolation. The joy and memories that music brings will lift the spirits, improving residents’ low mood and overall engagement, reducing their levels of anxiety, improving emotional wellbeing, and supporting residents to express and feel their emotions. The residents, staff and visiting families will be able to connect and/or re-connect as they share together an enjoyment of the music and the emotional impact this can bring, in turn strengthening relationships and showing the impact that the power of music can have for everyone involved.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth
    Love and Harmony CIC The Hive Mental Health Matters Project £20,000
    Summary: This provision is for 1-2-1 counselling sessions for people aged 16+. There will be 4 x 12-week blocks made available. The focus is on early intervention and suicide prevention for the LGBTQIA+ community to access support as quickly as possible. This will be delivered in 1-hour sessions. The therapy will take place at a location suitable for the client. Transport costs will be refunded on presentation of a receipt if required, so nobody is excluded, and the opportunity is available to all regardless of geographical location or financial situation. This service is available weekdays from 10am -7pm allowing people with other responsibilities access to the service. The aim is that the therapy will provide, improved mood, anxiety reduction, increased self-worth, increased confidence, mental health tools to help in future situations, hard copy of resources for referral. Through a variety of person-centred therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy the clients will develop their own skills to handle situations that may arise throughout difficulties in life.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    Lucky Ewe Lucky Ewe Farm £14,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project through the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults. They have now officially moved to their new premises at Lucky Ewe Farm in Stratheden. Supporting this transition, the funding will cover the cost of a dedicated Project Farm Coordinator and support with additional farm expenses. This role will allow them to continue providing meaningful work experiences for individuals with mental health challenges, helping to reduce anxiety, build self-confidence, and foster teamwork. The project will support essential farm activities including animal care, vegetable growing, and wool crafts that all contribute positively to the interns' mental health and well-being.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes | Levenmouth | North East Fife
    Methilhill Community Children's Initiative Improving well-being at MCCI Haven £25,000
    Summary: This project will reduce social isolation and encourage adults from the area to come together in a safe and supportive space. Making and maintaining positive relationships is extremely important for improving mental health as it can make people feel happier and part of the community. Feeling isolated is extremely common in this area especially among lone parents and the older generation and through this activity they are given the opportunity to reconnect. They will use the Edinburgh Warwick Scale along with verbal and written feedback to measure the impact of this project. Poverty and low income are also common in this area, and this contributes to poor mental health and well-being. This funding will allow them to open a free of charge community cafe for 10 hours per week - providing a social gathering space for adults to enjoy a cuppa, some soup and a freshly made sandwich. At present, in the area MCCI community cafe is the only place to sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Unfortunately, they are currently only able to offer these two days per week for one and a half hours. In the new premises they will be able to offer these 5 days per week. Two evenings per week they will provide social nights (requested by 70% of people in the latest community consultation). Both projects will help to reduce social isolation, and their knowledgeable staff can provide benefit checks to assist with income maximisation. To help prevent crisis they will be able to provide free toiletries and cleaning products through their partnership with The Big Hoose Project. They have strong links with other agencies through the attendance at Levenmouth WRAP, group who can supply specialised support. They will invite agencies along to the cafe on a regular basis and have leaflets and materials available to pass onto customers.
    Areas supported: Levenmouth
    Options in Life New day of service £13,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project supporting a larger number of adults with learning disabilities in Fife who are struggling with mental health. This service has added an additional day, directly benefiting 45+ adults with learning disabilities. People with learning disabilities, who are currently suffering in isolation without provision will gain access to a weekly service where they will take part in fully supported, fun, educational, fulfilling group social activity. The activity range is extensive and suits all interests and wellbeing needs, also designed to instil confidence and develop skills which further improve lives and opportunities.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes | Levenmouth | North East Fife
    Over Rankeilour Walled Garden Therapeutic Gardening Programme £9,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project which aims to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic environment in which to support those in need for whatever reason, but with a focus on reducing social isolation and improving mental health and wellbeing. To date, the Fife Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant has enabled them to employ a volunteer coordinator. Establishing this role has helped recruit, engage and support a growing number of volunteers from the target groups (including referrals from the NHS and third sector groups) and provide more regular and better structured therapeutic gardening sessions. Feedback via volunteer questionnaires has consistently shown that volunteers appreciate being able to get outside, socialise with others, improve their fitness and learn new skills. They report feeling more relaxed and happier, more confident and better valued. With support from the grant they have seen the number of regular volunteers increase and a growth in flower sales and income from open days, which means that they are close to being able to self-fund 1 staff member for 2 sessions a week, in order to expand further they need another member of staff to ensure that volunteers get the best experience and those in need of extra support receive it. This additional staff member will allow them to expand the project by increasing food growing activities, creating more vegetable beds, a new herb garden and sensory area to provide participants with additional therapeutic activities. Food grown in the garden is currently shared amongst the volunteers, but with the expansion of the activities they will be able to provide for the wider community too and are in talks with Cupar Community Fridge to look at distributing surplus to them in 2025. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to have an impact on mental health, providing locally grown food, bringing people together socially and improving their wellbeing and the sense of being valued is more important than ever. They will continue to run 2 volunteer sessions a week all year, providing wet weather options when required. Currently they have approximately 6-12 participants per session, but with this expansion of the project they can increase the number of people taking part. They will also continue the regular open days to allow the volunteers to showcase their work and sell plants and produce from the garden. Volunteers will benefit from informal skills training during the sessions supported and encouraged by the garden staff.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Pain Association Scotland Courses for carers to help them improve their mental health and wellbeing and build resilience £6,000
    Summary: Finding new ways forward for health and wellbeing is a 5-week on-line course specifically for carers living with chronic pain in Fife but unable to access timely support, which will be delivered twice. Chronic pain has a high impact upon physical, psychological and family health. Significant issues include depression, long-term stress, isolation, high levels of medication, poor mobility, lack of self-esteem and fatigue. The sessions are person-centred, providing carers with the tools to enable and empower people to manage their situation/long-term condition. Delivered using a bio-psycho-social model, with the individual at the centre. Within each course, people will hear from existing service users, hearing their story and those who have completed the courses will be encouraged to take part in other sessions to help foster the all-important peer support, which sometimes, due to their everyday commitments, they are unable to access.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    pilgrim care Enhanced Parish Nurse Services for the Older Person in St Andrews £37,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, to further develop the Enhanced Parish Nurse Services for the Older Person in St Andrews which was established 3 years ago. Allowing the PN service to focus on improving mental health and the wellbeing of lonely, isolated elderly residents in the St Andrews area, mindful of the negative impact of the increased cost of living and of the economic landscape on residents who suffer from the impact of hidden poverty. In year 4 they aim to, increasing the Parish Nursing Assistant’s team hours and recruit additional volunteers. Increase the length of times the existing groups run adding time to the lunch for games and a chat. Increase the number of personal play lists for people that can be used by families. Provide a safe space for the out and about club during poor weather or when group dynamics would find it difficult for all to go out and about, ensuring that no-one is excluded from an activity / group on a Tuesday. Securing a cinema and Spotify licence, enhanced membership for golden carers and other agencies to enable more reminisce work or quizzes to take place, building on the existing cinema club and the ability to diversify the group program. As well as using this with other groups through the week. Providing gentle exercises which include seated led action songs using group playlists, strength and balance work, armchair yoga (Paths for all, Age Scotland and NHS programs), as well as games with a beach ball or parachute which help to increase coordination, reduce falls and highlight any issues that need further investigations / referrals. Providing Indoor golf, curling and bowling in more of the groups as the increased hours and staff ratio will allow. Providing volunteer training both generic and specific to an individual’s situation and condition, allowing full participation from preparing the client to leave their home, accompanying them and returning them safely in their own vehicle. Relationships are formed based on trust and familiarity where volunteers befriend clients and become enablers. Volunteers providing clients with the opportunity to be taken out for a short drive, an outing for a coffee according to their own preferences. Pivotal to the above is the removal of the barrier which transportation presents.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Raith Rovers Community Foundation KEEP KICKING ON £13,000
    Summary: Through this project they use the power of sport and the brand of Raith Rovers to engage, motivate, inspire and empower the community to achieve its potential. They provide programmes that enable those in their disadvantaged community to improve their physical and mental health, create new social connections and improve their day-to-day lives. They have direct knowledge of the challenges the community faces and the ability to reach out, engage and support. The Keep Kicking On project, sports-based suicide prevention intervention supports young men aged 16-25 with mental health issues in Kirkcaldy. This project has been established as a result of the alarming increase in the levels of suicide amongst young men in the community and to tackle the negative stigma and barriers that some men face with regards to seeking help for their mental health. Each session will be split equally between wellbeing activities and football with monthly workshops on key issues (substance misuse, financial management, coping strategies etc) and regular social activities also featuring. The project includes 2 x weekly sessions across a 50-week period and participants are referred into the programme from GP surgeries and other third sector organisations and partners. Poor mental health is a big problem and significant mental health inequalities exist in Kirkcaldy as socially disadvantaged people have an increased risk of developing mental health issues. The project brings together young men who share the same interest in sport and have similar struggles and helps improve their mental health and wellbeing, empower them to build positive relationships and support networks and to grow and improve together, whilst also providing participants with a range of effective coping strategies to deal with stress, anxiety and setbacks and an improved ability to spot warning signs amongst themselves and peers.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    Relationships Scotland- couple counselling Fife Come and talk about it £14,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, following the successful delivery of free counselling sessions in year 3. The ongoing cost of living crisis has increased the need for free counselling to those affected by poor mental health and those suffering social isolation. Counselling helps to increase people’s wellbeing and reduce mental health illness. Counselling can work preventative as well as an early intervention. The impact these sessions will have include, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, loneliness and increase a sense of wellbeing, prevent suicide, build confidence and self-esteem, reduce social isolation, prevent family breakdown, reduce the number of people experiencing domestic abuse and connect people better with their local community. This is offered to both couples as well as individuals. 350 free counselling sessions are offered to people from a disadvantaged socio economic background, this will be through accepting around 40 referrals, an estimated 30 individuals and 10 couples from other agencies. The total number of beneficiaries is estimated to be around 50 people.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy | North East Fife
    Relationships Scotland Tayside and Fife Connecting Families - RelScot £12,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a Community Mental Health and Wellbeing fund project. This enhances people's connectedness, to reduce their sense of isolation and improves their mental health and resilience. Facing the cost-of-living crisis, relationships have gone from reeling from a global pandemic to destitution, and relationships have come to the forefront even more strongly than before as a 'must' to keep people afloat. To tackle these issues, they will continue to offer the enhanced services to 45 people, including kinship carers. They will be offered a maximum of 180 sessions including Mediation, Contact, Therapy and Counselling. All services will enhance beneficiaries' mental wellbeing due to reducing their distress and isolation and reconnecting them with significant others.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | North East Fife
    RESTORATION FIFE Resto community wellbeing £14,500
    Summary: Restoration Fife supports people in recovery from substance use to build connections and purpose, as well as having fun, in a new substance free environment, reducing isolation and improving social networks, providing increased opportunities to try new activities. People in recovery and volunteers learn new skills, build on their assets and can acquire new ones, supporting people to take the next steps in their recovery. The current aim of this recovery community is to support people to maintain recovery from substance use by improving mental/physical health and wellbeing through a range of activities. These are delivered in a safe environment that helps reduce isolation and loneliness, promote independent living and connect people into community activities, social networks and support them to choose healthier lifestyle options.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Levenmouth
    Rock Trust Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Homeless Young People £3,000
    Summary: Rock Trust is Scotland’s youth homelessness charity. Their long-term vision is to end youth homelessness, and the immediate mission is to ensure that every young person in Scotland has access to an expert, youth-specific services so that they can avoid, survive and move on from homelessness for good. As well as providing supported accommodation and help to access housing, they support young people to build the skills, confidence and resilience they need to make positive and healthy transitions to adulthood. In Fife, they deliver Housing First for Youth, providing young people with complex needs accommodation on an immediate, permanent and unconditional basis, along with wraparound support. They also deliver visiting support to enable young people to make a success of independent living and break the cycle of homelessness. This project will be to enhance the wellbeing support provided to young people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Fife. Over 25% of homeless young people in Scotland have an identified mental health support need, and they’re more likely than their non-homeless peers to have experiences of trauma, poverty, abuse, bereavement, and be at risk of self-harm and suicide.   They will provide a tailored mental health and wellbeing support package, that will take a person-centred, strengths-based approach, helping the young people engaged with to identify and access activities, experiences, and resources which will improve their mental health and wellbeing. This will also help them to develop the community support networks and personal resilience that will mean they can move onto to successful independent living.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Scotland Yard Adventure Centre Supporting parents/carers of disabled children in Fife £14,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project which recruited a full-time Family Support and Play Team Leader (FSPTL) in Fife and has been building parent/carer support activities into their weekly play sessions for disabled children and their families. The Family Support Officer attends the drop-in play sessions each weekend, meeting parents/carers in a familiar space where they feel comfortable and feel able to discuss their challenges. Taking a joined-up approach between play and family support activities means they can reach as many parents/carers as possible. Where ongoing support is needed, the Family Support Officer will meet with parents/carers regularly and help them create personalised wellbeing plans to track progress towards specific goals. Additionally, they will organise activities such as informational coffee mornings addressing common concerns among families with a disabled child. The family sessions are vital in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of parents/carers of a disabled child; many accessing The Yard have stated that they have severely limited capacity to care for their own mental health, often due to their caring responsibilities and low income. Many parents/carers supported are also disabled or neurodivergent themselves, which makes prioritising their own wellbeing needs even more challenging. Through the family support activities, they aim to support at least 120 parents/carers in 2025, and reduce isolation among parents/carers by building peer support communities, provide parents/carers with respite time to focus on their own wellbeing, provide parents/carers with practical advice on navigating health, education and social services, increase parents/carer’s knowledge and understanding of other services available to them, so that they have long-term support plans that are sustainable and not reliant on any one organisation alleviate stress among parents/carers before they reach breaking point.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    Scottish Action for Mental Health Transforming young men’s mental health and wellbeing in communities across Fife £14,500
    Summary: This project is an innovative programme that supports young men aged 18 - 30 and combines physical activity with behavioural changes to promote mental health and resilience. Working with local football clubs, including Dunfermline Athletics FC, they deliver person-centred and community-rooted support that prioritises early intervention and preventative care. The programme will consist of 3 cohorts of 12 weekly sessions, each two hours for groups of up to 20 participants. Supporting up to 60 young men over the course of the year. Football terminology is applied to all parts of the programme: the 12-week (match) programme is split into four phases pre-match, first half, second half, and post-match; and every session comprises of 15-minute warm-up, 90-minute activity, and 15 minutes of extra time. Participants will be encouraged to lead on devising the content of weekly sessions throughout the programme. Physical activities such as walking football and fitness training featured alongside non-traditional male pursuits like yoga and meditation; walking around the pitch in pairs and small groups while chatting will also be encouraged. Sessions will be led by the Changing Room Manager, who will steer conversations at appropriate times toward discussing personal feelings, emotions, and concerns. Guest speakers from the community will be invited to talk about their mental wellbeing. The idea of being mentally and physically fit resonates with participants, whereas a conversation about one’s mental health is seen as less masculine.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy
    Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs Wellbeing Activities £10,500
    Summary: Across Fife this project offers a dedicated service providing one to one support and local family groups. Many local families are, sadly, affected. the stigma around alcohol and drugs means that families feel they cannot be open, and this can be a barrier to encouraging people to connect with others. It has been established that wellbeing activities offer a new way to connect, encouraging families into group support for the first time. Families that attend the groups describe them as their lifeline. A full year of activities will be available, building upon what is already working and maximizing the number of families that can attend. Reiki and wellbeing craft and activity groups will be made available. Reiki Family members will receive a course of up to 6 sessions of Reiki. As well as offering single sessions to family members who are going through crisis to provide an opportunity to reduce stress at times of high anxiety. Reiki calms the mind; eases tension and reduces pain. This service will be available for 46 local families and 36 individuals receiving a course plus 10 additional crisis sessions. Many of the families engaged with are on a low incomes or struggle financially and would not be able to try Reiki without funding. Wellbeing Activity Groups, a series of Wellbeing Activity Groups which will include sessions on anxiety and stress management and mindful crafting sessions will be available. These will bring up to 35 families together who may not otherwise engage in a group, reducing loneliness and social isolation. They will also teach lasting techniques on how to better manage stress offering a lasting tool to help combat poor mental health.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy
    Seal Dunfermline Step Forward- Positive Outcomes £8,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project. The Positive Outcomes project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of between 10-12 young adults ages 16-25 by building on their previous work, to help equip the members with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today's society. Through 24 bi-weekly sessions, this project pays a particular focus to health promotion activities where they engage with other agencies to deliver educational services and resources on a range of topics including food and health, mental health, alcohol and substance misuse and tobacco issues. This will ensure the group members have access to the information needed to allow them to take more control over and improve their own health and wellbeing. As all the group’s members are considered vulnerable or at risk, it is important to address these issues and equip them with the knowledge needed to protect themselves from harm. Significant associations have been found between mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety, amongst smokers and those who consume alcohol (Khan et al,2023). Helping the group members stop or cut back through educational activities and providing signposting to help, advice and support will improve their mental health and overall wellbeing. The project will also continue to enable the group members to develop essential life skills and help them secure volunteering opportunities in the community to raise their self-esteem and self-image while improving their CVs. They will help group members create CVs and apply for jobs/college courses as well as prepare for interviews. As always, Seal will aim to tackle social isolation by helping the group members connect with one another during these group sessions, where discussions around these topics will be encouraged and explored and support and guidance will be offered from Seal staff.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | South West Fife
    Seescape Counselling and Transitions into the Community £10,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, where they will continue Seescape's mental health and wellbeing support for vulnerable visually impaired adults in Fife through key initiatives, essential counselling services and enhancing community reintegration support. Seescape partner with InterActions, a specialist Fife-based counselling provider experienced in supporting visually impaired individuals. The counselling helps clients move from denial, anger, and fear towards acceptance and developing coping strategies. They will provide counselling sessions for approximately 30 clients over 15 months, offering extended support periods for those with more complex needs. Referrals will be prioritised based on urgency, including those with suicidal thoughts, and regular evaluations of client progress and service impact will be carried out. Increase the Health and Wellbeing Coordinator's capacity to provide personalised support for clients transitioning back into the community after completing the 12-week fitness program. Through this funding they aim to deliver an additional 40 community integration sessions. This extended support is crucial for maintaining physical and confidence gains and improving mental wellbeing through social connection. The coordinator will provide one-on-one support for clients attending community groups and activities, develop tailored plans to gradually increase social interaction and community engagement, collaborate with local volunteer groups and community organisations to identify suitable activities for clients, and support them to attend and integrate.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland (SCIO) Sporting Memories Fife £6,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, Sporting Memories weekly Clubs in Fife. The hook of sport, through a mix of reminiscence, social activities and taking part in inclusive physical activities to connect older people who share their interest and passion for sport. They currently have five clubs taking place weekly at Kirkcaldy RFC, Gilvenbank Community Sports Hub in Glenrothes, Dunfermline, East Fife and Cupar with a new Club in Inverkeithing starting before Christmas. Weekly community Club’s consist of the 'first half' being sporting reminiscence and cognitively stimulating games supported by memorabilia and resources defined by the participant's sporting interests and preferences. This allows for social interaction among participants and new friendships to be formed. At half time they provide refreshments. The 'second half' of the weekly club facilitates physical activity with a range of activities and sports including boccia, target games and a range of balance and strength exercises. The physical activity will be a gradual introduction to support beneficiaries slowly increasing physical activity levels from a starting point of being inactive. All activities are inclusive and within the limits of the individuals within the weekly club. They also provide trips and intergeneration activities. The beneficiaries will be isolated older people 50+ living with multiple conditions such as dementia, depression, loneliness and increasingly limited mobility.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    St Andrews Environmental Network Beach Wheelchairs onwards and upwards £12,500
    Summary: The Beach Wheelchair Project provides essential mental health benefits and inclusive access to nature for individuals with mobility challenges. The funds are for a seasonal staff member to manage, oversee, and coordinate the service throughout 2025, ensuring consistent delivery, supporting volunteers, and expanding outreach to increase community awareness of this free service. This service will run from April through to October and operates with 7 beach wheelchairs, a walker, and a hoist for safe transfers, available for either morning or afternoon sessions. By providing accessible beach experiences, this service promotes good mental well-being by creating opportunities for physical activity, connection with nature, and quality time with loved ones all crucial for reducing social isolation and enhancing mood.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    STAND SCIO 51652 STAND - Striving to Thrive in 2025 £25,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of the development of STAND’s Dementia Friendly Meeting Centre Spaces throughout Fife, including three held in Fife Council premises. The strategy for year 4 includes plans for a new DFMCS in Cupar, wider access to therapeutic and creative activities and resources for DFMCS members in Cadham, Methilhaven, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Kinghorn, greater collaboration with local providers of arts, musical, crafts, and sports & outdoor activities (e.g. kata canoeing, table tennis, country walks) and a social club for occasional special events, such as theatre trips, lunch/supper & entertainment, and a film club. They hope to attract a diversity of volunteers from the local community, including those living with a dementia diagnosis or a family member. Training opportunities for facilitators and volunteers would be extended to include learning new creative skills and techniques to share with other meeting centre members. There is a strong evidence base for the holistic benefits of professional musicians, artists, writers and photographers to continue to work with members on a sessional basis at each DFMCS. To maximise the benefits to members' mental health & wellbeing, they are offering all DFMCS these highly popular and rewarding sessions on an equitable basis. Companionship, laughter, mental stimulation, reminiscing, the joy and pride in creating familiar arts & crafts, learning many new skills, growing produce and flowers - and celebrating one's unique self rather than being defined by his or her disease - helps to foster a 'can do' self-belief and a renewed sense of optimism among participants. The opportunity for external social events will be a continued addition benefiting the members. Community-based support such as this has been shown to slow the progression of dementia, lift mood and boredom, reduce carer stress and enable people to live well at home for as long as possible.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife
    SWAN Autism (Scotland) SWAN Places: Fife £7,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project where autistic-led groups are held for 12 months to bring together autistic women and non-binary people across Fife for regular support and peer-support groups, outings and activities - reducing isolation and improving wellbeing. This project will recruit, train and support local autistic volunteers, to run the group, pay local community venues to hold the meetups, and organise activities across the region in response to identified local autistic community need. In response to what the existing group participants and volunteers have said, they will build on and expand the current project by building capacity within the group to become more autonomous, identifying and organising the activities they want and need to support their own wellbeing and develop their connection to community. This includes more access to outdoors activities including physical activity, connecting with other local organisations and visits to local sites.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy
    Tayport Community Trust Tayport Community Health and Wellbeing 2025 £13,500
    Summary: The intention of the Tayport Community Health and Wellbeing Project is to continue to provide support to local people to reduce social isolation, to run free social, educational and physical activities and to offer holistic support to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing. As well as helping to improve people's wellbeing, the programme is aimed at helping people cope with the cost-of-living crisis. Reduced incomes can lead to social isolation, stress, family breakdown and reductions in good health and wellbeing. The programme aims to reduce some of these negative impacts by offering free, weekly social and physical activities for people in the local area. The programme of activities runs weekly throughout the year, offering a range of different activities. Sessions will vary in length, from 1 -3 hours and respond to the needs of local people and are informed by community feedback. They aim to use the feedback gained during the first three years of this project to enhance and tailor services going forward. Although the aim is to have most of the activities to be volunteer led, some may require to be delivered by a facilitators and expert speakers. Examples of the sessions that are planned are based on what was most popular previously: weekly activities such as the arts and craft groups, running, walking and cycling groups, social groups (Community Meals), as well as family events aimed at bringing together the whole community to nurture intergenerational relationships and strengthen informal community support networks all of which helps nurture peoples' mental health and wellbeing. They are further developing the Film Club and are offering more regular free sport activities, as well as opportunities for people to come in and have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. Volunteer led activities, such as the Repair Cafe and board games sessions (chess club, game nights, jigsaw corner) will be part of that. There will also be regular information sessions for local services to connect with the community. Information sessions will run alongside the Community Fridge and other activities, thus enabling easy access to a variety of free services aimed at supporting the needs of the community members who need it most.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Tayside Institute Community Centre (SCIO) TICC Events 2025/6 £8,000
    Summary: Newburgh sits in the remote north-west corner of Fife and is very poorly served by expensive public transport making it extremely difficult for people to access social activity, with the nearest towns ten miles away. It is widely known that this rural isolation makes it very difficult for people, who are already finding it challenging to make ends meet, to access any kind of social activity. Any social interaction with other adults is often the first cost to be sacrificed, resulting in loneliness, isolation, loss of confidence, sense of self-worth, worrying about paying bills, doubt in their own parenting skills and a sense that there is no-one who is listening or who cares. This project seeks to break this cycle by bringing a series of fully accessible, affordable, inclusive social events to the community centre, bringing adults of all ages together regularly in a warm, welcoming environment where they are holding bingo, quizzes, ceilidhs, lady’s nights, film club nights, curry nights and other activities. For some of these monthly events, children will be able to attend and participate, strengthening family ties and relationships through shared experiences. For others, they will attempt to provide childcare, often a significant barrier to participation, enabling parents/carers to participate alongside their peers and other residents in their own community, creating support networks and strengthening friendships and meaningful relationships. They will hold monthly social events, open to all, where a range of activities will be offered alongside signposting leaflets from a wide range of support services to help people access information they may need. They have found from experience that potential participants often do not utilise free services, feeling that the event is for only for people in poverty. By asking for a small fee for entry to the events, they aim to reduce the stigma, whilst keeping it affordable for all. They provide refreshments/food/entertainment as required, supported by staff, volunteers and outside entertainers/caterers.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    The Breastfeeding Network The Breastfeeding Network Fife £11,000
    Summary: The Breastfeeding Network Fife is a currently funded project where a cohort of volunteers are supporting the newly established Cowdenbeath group. There is also a second group in Dunfermline, supported by new and established volunteers. All the groups are free of charge to attend, and refreshments are provided. In year 4 the volunteer coordinator will continue to support the local volunteers and set up a third group in Leven. Conversations with the local Health Visiting teams have identified Levenmouth as an area with high levels of deprivation and where breastfeeding rates are low. Running a group here would empower families to be supported to continue breastfeeding locally. Through conversations with local families and health professionals, they have established that mums in Fife find it difficult to access support and feel unduly isolated from other mums. The impact on their mental health when not able to be supported in their own community can lead to lower levels of confidence in all aspects of becoming a parent. At the 2 groups they aim to support 80 adults with 300 contacts over the year. With a third group, they look to increase the number of adults supported to around 100 with 400 contacts over the year. They also aim to arrange for 6 -10 of the volunteers to complete Mental Health First Aid training (or similar), start inviting other local organisations supporting parents into the groups making it easier for the parents to access support and information they might need, for example around things like income maximisation and home safety. They will ask parents what external inputs might be most useful. These groups are needed to help new parents feel less isolated which can help prevent and reduce issues around mental wellbeing developing by helping parents build supportive networks and feel more connected to their local community. They also aim to increase access to support and information about infant feeding, early parenting and mental wellbeing for mums and parents living in areas of high deprivation. Breastfeeding can help protect mental wellbeing for women when there is good support available.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Levenmouth
    The Central Park Community Trust Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing Development Programme £11,000
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project. Building on the success of the previous year’s and utilising the Adult Programmes Development Officer (APDO), they have identified programmes where physical activity would help them improve their mental health and wellbeing. They have introduced these new programmes with an emphasis on groups which have been identified by the APDO working with other agencies and feedback from users, these programmes will offer affordability and accessibility for users and strengthen local support for at risk groups. The projects are 2 x Festivals, one focusing on football and the other the emphasis is on indoor games which will allow a different audience to attend who are not football minded. Weekly Ladies Recreational Football Sessions which are aimed at Ladies from a variety of age groups. A new group of younger ladies who attend aged 15-25 will hold a standalone weekly social group session. A local Armed Services veteran is introducing weekly veterans social gathering with talks, games, food etc. The Adult Programmes Development Officer presents every term to young students within the high schools and Fife College who want to pursue sports-based careers. Volunteering opportunities will continue, support with building a CV and courses such as First Aid and SFA Coaching Courses and mentoring by the APDO will be provided.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly
    The Ecology Centre Resilient Roots Supported Volunteering £23,500
    Summary: The resilient roots is a supported volunteering programme which has delivered and supported a number of individuals to engage and even progress into their mainstream volunteering and one has completed an SCQF level 4 FOLA award through the Opportunities Fife project. This is a continuation of this project for the volunteers who continue to need high levels of support and for new supported volunteers in the community. Like all the work at The Ecology Centre, the group operates with a person-centred approach. Supported Volunteers are involved in project and activity planning and individual interests and passions are always explored. The focus of Resilient Roots is on improving health and wellbeing through: social connection within the group (including a sit-down cooked lunch for each session), meaningful and useful physical activity to contribute to the management of the site (such as woodland management, community garden, path and pond maintenance), meaningful and useful activity to contribute to the enterprise activities (e.g. woodcraft, produce preserving, making things from natural materials), therapeutic outdoor activities (such as mindfulness, nature connection activities and nature-based reflection), individual progression with supported volunteers/to mainstream volunteering/employability projects if appropriate. In year 4 the number of volunteers supported will be between 8 – 10, with 38 full-day session (weekly during term-time from April 2025 - March 2026). They will also continue the successful project model whilst building on the tasks they have already worked on and progressing onto more complex tasks across our site. They will also look to utilise a new partnership with Kingdom Housing Association.
    Areas supported: Kirkcaldy
    The Friendship Cabin The Friendship Cabin - A Centre for Wellness Year 4 £14,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project, that aims to expand and improve the level of service and address the cost-of-living crisis by remaining a donations-based service, ensuring consistency and equity over the 4 days. They are again operating 4 days a week Monday to Thursday and still add Fridays as fundraising events. The service facilitates connection /reconnection amongst the members and volunteers as there is a strong sense of community and being a member of a club, many members referring to them as “their club”. They focus on improving mental health and wellbeing for all sessions by incorporating activities that are aimed at positive mental health e.g. mindfulness, as well as addressing poor mental health e.g. suicide awareness. This, together with promoting physical activity, providing information on diet and nutrition, learning opportunities through guest speakers and an array of other activities brings people together, reducing loneliness and tackle social isolation. Some examples of weekly activities are - curling, bean bag and ball games, cricket, table tennis, singing, line dancing, basketball, drumming, dancing and chair yoga, and more cerebral activities such as quizzes, conversation, dominoes and other board games plus the interactive touchscreen table. They are running sessions on budgeting and money management and already signpost members to the Food Bank. They engage with a range of community groups and services to address the desired outcomes of their members, some examples are Inspirational Therapies, Glenrothes Food Bank, Shery’s creations, Crossroads Fife, St Ninians Church, Carleton Primary, Screen Memories, Pitteuchar Ladies Group, Employability at Triage, Music in hospitals to provide a comprehensive and community linked service. The current capacity of the service is 80 spaces across the 4 days. In the last month for example, they had 39 members utilising 65 spaces (as some members attend on multiple days).
    Areas supported: Glenrothes
    The Good Seed The Wee Nook £7,000
    Summary: This is a new project running alongside the Good Seed charity shop. Open for the past 10 months, the shop has identified a need for a dedicated space for the most vulnerable members in the community - somewhere they can come, feel valued, and connect and reconnect with local people, promoting good mental health and wellbeing by tackling social isolation and loneliness. This need has become apparent through staff meeting people and hearing their concerns about mental health issues/loneliness/financial hardship/cost of living crisis/heating their homes in conversations. Many elderly people in the local community would benefit from having somewhere to go for social interaction with fewer services available to them on their doorstep and the barriers of accessing these in the nearest town in the current climate. They are holding two sessions per week, over the 12-month pilot on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am-4pm, offering warmth, light refreshments, an activity alongside companionship and conversation where people can feel welcome, safe and supported. Activities will include arts & crafts, sewing, local history and heritage, old photos/memories session etc. After the initial 6 weeks these will be directed by the users. Each group can accommodate 20 people per session in a homely environment. A noticeboard will be provided with useful information, and volunteers will assist with signposting people to other organisations to access support for heating their homes/food provision/help with finances/support for the elderly etc. This project provides a supportive structure for people to share information and experiences and create a peer support network where people feel empowered and more confident to help themselves. Evidence confirms the positive impact of all these things have on people's mental health and wellbeing, their outlook on life and their ability to cope on a day-to-day basis.
    Areas supported: Glenrothes
    The Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust Support for unpaid cancer carers at Maggie’s Fife £10,000
    Summary: This project supports unpaid cancer carers across Fife with the complexities around the transition from partner, spouse, parent, or child to carer. It focuses on improving mental health, reducing isolation, fostering resilience, and self-compassion and aims to help cancer carers manage relationships and cope with the emotional toll of caregiving and bereavement while balancing their own self-care. There will be a Friends & Family Support Group (Mondays 11-12.30), Bereavement Course (Wednesdays 13.30-15.00), 1:1 support for carers (Weekdays drop-in) Weekly peer support groups offers a safe environment for emotional expression and honest conversations, helping people develop strategies to manage the impact of a cancer diagnosis on their family.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | South West Fife
    The Mindful Partnership Minding Fife £30,000
    Summary: Minding Fife is a continuation of a previously funded project, providing support to communities and third sector organisations with mental health and wellbeing, through delivery of robust training in well-established and researched Mindfulness, Compassion and associated modalities, including somatic movement. The plan in year 4 is to expand the number of training hrs from 300 to 520, having trained 2 new teachers and through collaboration with already experienced facilitators who will bring additional experience, skills and new programmes (Outdoor nature programme and Intensive training over 6 months, working directly with Trauma and understanding mental health more deeply, Taming the Mind). They will maintain work within established groups throughout Fife while adding the specialisms in Trauma, work with vulnerable women, Men only, Chronic Pain, Menopause and Nature and the Elements. They work collaboratively with NHS Fife Psychological services, Pain Management Services and FIRST, plus they have established organisational connections. This project will help restore participants confidence, self-esteem and reduce anxiety, worry, stress economic/social, aging, isolation, recovery. The project consists of maintenance programmes. Outdoor programme, new 'Taming Mind' programme, healing relaxation, trauma groups, chronic pain groups/menopause, substance abuse, intensive retreat, mentoring/supervision of new teachers, CPD/Development work, volunteers/facilitators/Trustees, teacher training (2 new teachers).
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Dunfermline | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife | South West Fife
    The Pars Foundation ‘SUPPORT_OURS’ £14,000
    Summary: This over 55’s Social Inclusion project is designed to help older adults combat isolation, rediscover purpose, and build meaningful relationships, all while fostering an environment of support and camaraderie. It balances fun social engagement with practical skills and emotional well-being. The cost-of-living crisis negatively impacts the most vulnerable. Watching the pennies means many are reluctant to leave home, rising bills means the nice to have extras are no longer an option, even turning on the heating causes anxiety. In response to this the aim is to expand the support for older people (55+) in Dunfermline struggling with the effects of the current economic climate. This project will run over a 12-week period and provide a mix of sport, physical and social activities as well as learning modules and workshops on key topics, such as mental health overview, sharing life experience, goal setting, loneliness and isolation, social connections and networks, digital Skills/confidence, shared interests, mentoring/peer Support, arts & crafts, music and dance, cultural learning, mindfulness & relaxation, grief & support and coping techniques. The programme will also feature talks from various inspirational, local guest speakers. There are 4 cohorts of the programme, enabling 60 adults over 55 to participate in a 12-week programme which will positively impact on their mental health and wellbeing, whilst also providing them with a range of effective coping strategies to enable them to be better prepared (more resilient) to deal with stress, anxiety and setbacks in their lives. The project will also offer and support a range of meaningful volunteering opportunities, and participants and volunteers will benefit from befriending and inter-generational contact and sharing life stories and memories.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline
    THEVILLAGE CAFE-CERES COMMUNITY CAFE Good Companions Lunch Club £10,000
    Summary: Having successfully introduced the Good Companions lunch in previous years, this weekly session will now continue to expand and develop, particularly for those in the village and surrounding areas who are isolated, live alone and whose family, if they have any, do not live locally. In the beginning, it was mostly elderly ladies who would attend and mostly solely from the village. They have actively worked on attracting more gentlemen and people with other barriers such as bereavement. They also now have carers who come along and have expanded the reach out with the village to a much broader area. The lunch club provides homemade soup, toasties or sandwiches along with a tea and coffee and a sweet treat, all home baked. In addition, they have organised for children from the local school and nursery to attend intergenerational sessions. This has been a great success, and they hope to continue to do more with the school. They are currently planning a Christmas party with entertainment. The project also provides newspapers and board games in the cafe with volunteers to help with playing them and invite external people along to give information talks. The sessions provide company, stimulus and good homemade nutritious food, remove barriers of payment and provides a friendly environment that assists them to overcome their loneliness and isolation and re-connect them with their communities.
    Areas supported: North East Fife
    Victim Support Scotland ASB Support Service £10,000
    Summary: The ASB Support Service project will deliver dedicated support to residents of Fife communities who have had their mental wellbeing impacted by Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). The focus will be supporting victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and hate-crime, which are often interlinked. Since ASB can affect anyone, this service is open to all people with these experiences, although some groups are at higher risk. The project has two threads: 1. One-to-one support for victims of ASB offences volunteer-led offering practical and emotional support to recover. 2. Group support for victims of ASB offences, volunteer and staff-led group support to help people recover from impact of ASB, including workshops, peer-support, wellbeing activities, such as relaxation classes. By developing peer groups, this will create sustainable models of support that will endure. The volunteers can also signpost to other sources of support, such as the VSS Emergency Assistance Fund which provides financial support to recover/compensate for uninsured losses. Where the ASB leads to criminal proceedings, the staff and volunteers put people at ease so they can give their best evidence and achieve justice. The target has been set to support 30 individuals over 12 months. This service is unique in the area but will involve partnership working to attract referrals and will work in partnership with Police Scotland, COPFS, Scottish Court Service, SCRA, Fife Council Anti-Social Response Team, FVA, HSCP and third sector partners like CAB.
    Areas supported: Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy
    Youth 1st b:connected £10,500
    Summary: This is a continuation of a previously funded project delivering a series of support sessions, workshops and events for volunteers and youth workers in the voluntary youth work sector in Fife through the Voluntary Youth Network project. Through these activities, they will provide opportunities for women, those facing socio-economic disadvantage and those disadvantaged due to rural location to improve their health and wellbeing through a two pronged approach. Firstly, they will bring together leaders working in the third sector in Fife to give them space to connect, seek support and re-establish relationships. They are aware that leaders are increasingly stressed and becoming mentally drained. By providing this space over the year for regular support, they aim to encourage and re-motivate leaders, which will re-inspire them to lead their organisations thus providing a knock-on benefit to their beneficiaries and staff. These groups run monthly but is very much influenced by the leaders involved. Secondly, they deliver a series of health and wellbeing workshops for volunteers and youth workers. These events are based on the 5 ways to wellbeing, and will address both the needs of the workers, but also equip them to feel more confident about addressing health and wellbeing issues with the people they work with. The events will offer opportunities for volunteers and workers to reconnect, share and inspire each other. The project will culminate in March 2026 with a health and wellbeing event for all those working or volunteering in the youth work sector in Fife. Of the adults in their membership, 65% are women. 1/3 of all the member groups are operating in high SIMD areas, and over two thirds operate in a rural area. The past few years have been exceptionally tough for the members, and many are worn out, and emotionally exhausted. This programme of activities will provide time out to recharge, re-motivate and re-inspire those who are often working in the communities struggling the most.
    Areas supported: Cowdenbeath & Lochgelly | Glenrothes | Kirkcaldy | Levenmouth | North East Fife
This page was last updated in February 2025.
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