£30M Funding for Adult Well-Being Support

17th March 2025

Scottish Government commits to boost for communities’ mental wellbeing

GCVS joined Scottish Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd to visit a local project supported by the Glasgow Wellbeing Fund as new support was announced. Community-led mental health and wellbeing projects will benefit from £30 million Scottish Government funding over the next two years.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults – launched in 2021 – supports local groups in delivering programmes for adults that tackle social isolation, loneliness, and mental health inequalities.

In the first three years, approximately 4,800 grants were awarded in Scotland to a diverse array of grassroots community projects aimed at connecting people and offering peer support. These projects included a variety of activities such as sports, outdoor pursuits, and the arts. GCVS, which manages the fund for Glasgow, has collaborated with partners such as Volunteer Glasgow and Glasgow Social Enterprise Network to conduct 2,597 application assessments to date. This figure includes the latest round, which saw record demand.

The impact of support through grass-roots projects

The charity, Empower Women for Change, has secured grant awards in all rounds of the Fund to date. This year, the group is using their grant to support lone parents, families with a disabled family member, Minority Ethnic families, and young mothers. 

Asma Abdalla, Empower Women for Change CEO and Founder said:

“The Wellbeing Fund has played a transformative role in improving the lives of our service users of ethnic minority women and girls and our volunteers, members, and staff.

“Through our Inspired Women projects, we have provided vital mental health support, resilience, and community connection, changed lives, and strengthened communities. We are looking forward to continuing this work, with support from the Wellbeing Fund.“

Staff, volunteers and service users at Empower Women for Change welcomed the Minister and GCVS team to their Glasgow office. Their powerful stories highlighted the vital support they have received and the sense of community they have found amongst other women facing similar challenges.

Visiting their office in Glasgow, Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said:  

“I am pleased to meet staff and service users at Empower Women for Change and hear more about the valuable work they do in the community they support. It is inspiring to see first-hand the impact these grants can have.

“Since the fund was established, we have invested £66 million, reaching a variety of groups supporting those at increased risk of poor mental health and wellbeing, including people facing socio-economic disadvantage, older people and ethnic minority communities. I look forward to seeing the difference this further £30 million investment will make to community-based mental wellbeing projects across Scotland.”

Sheena Arthur, GCVS Partnership Manager said:

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is continuing. This fund delivers small grants which make a positive difference and so far, has supported over 900 Third Sector organisations and community groups across Glasgow.

“In increasingly challenging times, the Third Sector plays a crucial role. This fund enables the development of existing projects as well as emerging ideas from the community. It helps to bring people together- contributing to better health and wellbeing of people and families, strengthening social connections and tackling inequality and poverty.“

Read more about the announcement from the Scottish Government on their website: https://www.gov.scot/news/improving-communities-mental-wellbeing

Stay Informed About the Glasgow Wellbeing Fund

The latest round of applications for the fund in Glasgow saw 355 community groups and voluntary organisations seeking a total investment of £3,118,792 for both new and established projects. You can find more information about the recipients of support in Year 4 on our news page >

Future announcements on the Glasgow Wellbeing Fund will be shared on our project page and newsletter.

Since 2021, the Glasgow Wellbeing Fund has been coordinated by GCVS – Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector – with help from partners including Volunteer Glasgow, Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, Glasgow City HSCP, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Mental Health Network Greater Glasgow, Glasgow Kelvin College and Wise Women.