Application Guidance Notes

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has been established to provide grants to small, grassroots community groups and organisations. This funding comes in response to the mental health need arising from the cost-of-living crisis. The intended outcome of the fund is to develop a culture of mental wellbeing and prevention within local communities and across Scotland with improved awareness of how we can all stay well and help ourselves and others. There will be a total of £881,768 distributed across South Lanarkshire. 

Applications will be assessed by VASLan and an external panel on a rolling basis to enable faster distribution of the funds. Please note that we are expecting high interest and the closing date may change. If a locality becomes over-subscribed, we may need to close applications for that locality - this is to ensure a more equitable split of funds across South Lanarkshire. 

What is the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund?

The ambition of this fund is to support initiatives that promote mental health and well being at a small scale, grassroots, community level and is accessible to all groups, no matter how small or inexperienced they are. It can support both new and existing groups or projects and these does not have to have mental health and wellbeing as their main focus, but the application must clearly benefit the mental well being of people in their community. 

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

 

Will Fund:

  • Equipment
  • One-off events
  • Hall hire of community spaces
  • Small capital spend (up to £5,000 for construction, refurbishment, purchase of buildings/amenities/vehicles)
  • Staff Costs (one off or fixed term)
  • Training costs
  • Transport
  • Utilities or running costs
  • Volunteer expenses

Will Not Fund:

  • Contingency costs, loans endowments or interest
  • Electricity generation and feed in tariff payment
  • Political or religious campaigning
  • Profit-making or fundraising activities
  • VAT that you can reclaim
  • Statutory activities
  • Overseas travel
  • Alcohol
What are the Funding Priorities?

The Funding Priorities are:

  • Projects that tackle suicide prevention, social isolation and loneliness, prevention, and early intervention.
  • Addressing poverty and mental health inequalities exacerbated by the cost-of-life crisis and the needs of a range of at-risk groups.
  • Supporting small ‘grassroots’ community groups and organisations to deliver such activities.
  • Providing opportunities for people to connect with each other, build trusted relationships and revitalise communities.
How much can I apply for?

There will be three levels of grant funding: 

  • Micro Grant of up to £2,000 (aimed at un-constituted organisations)
  • Small Grant £2,001 - £7,500
  • Main Grant £7,501 - £20,000
  • Partnership Grant £20,001 - £50,000

You have 18 months to carry out your intended project.

What is the application assessment and payment process?

Applications for Year 3 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (CMHWF) are easy and you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we expect a high demand across all localities. 

  1. Download and read the General Information pack and the Applications Guidance Notes. 
  2. Download our How to Make a Strong Application guide to help you to complete a strong application for grant funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. Please note that this does not act as a path to guaranteed funding.
  3. Submit your application via an online application form. The link will be available when the fund launches on Friday 29th September, at 12 noon.
  4. VASLan will assess the application  - this can take a minimum of 4 weeks. All assessment are done on an ongoing basis so we ask that you submit your applications early as the fund may close before the date below. 
  5. If your application is successful, it should only take 2 to 3 weeks from submitting your application to the money being transferred to your bank account. 
  6. The closing date of the application is Monday, 5th February. at 5pm. 

If you have any questions or require support with your application please contact funding@vaslan.org.uk or phone 01698 300390.

What is the Project Evaluation Process?

Groups and organisations  that receive an award are required  to provide evidence on how the funding was used and the success of the project. The types of evidenced - not limited to - that can be used are:

  • Case Studies
  • Quotes
  • Surveys
  • Bench Marking
  • Photographs
  • Videos
  • Audio recordings
  • Feedback forms
  • Focus Group
  • Third Party Evaluations

 

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