Enabling, Facilitating, Championing

Further to the consultation held at the last round of Locality Network events in September and ahead of the upcoming December events, VASLan’s draft locality strategies for 2026-29 are now available. These initial drafts have been shaped by the inputs of the 170 representatives who attended December’s Locality Network events, ensuring that their voices have been included. You can view them below:

The Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund is reopening for one final year of funding, with applications open on Monday 24th of November.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for community groups and organisations working to boost mental health and wellbeing in local communities across South Lanarkshire.

We want to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in, supported, and attended our annual South Lanarkshire Third Sector Awards.

On 6 November we held the annual Awards Ceremony - bringing the community together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across South Lanarkshire. You can view all the photos from the night by clicking here. 

In September, we launched our Supported Volunteering Programme in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council. This programme aims to help people facing barriers to work build confidence and skills.

We are still accepting third-sector organisations in Hamilton, East Kilbride, Cambuslang, Rutherglen & Clydesdale who have capacity to host volunteers. 

Host 1+ volunteers

We are excited to announce the Third Sector Awards finalists for 2025. Please see the categories below, listed in alphabetical order. 

Enterprise and Sustainability 

Abington Community Group 

Climate Action Strathaven 

R:EVOLVE RECYCLE 

Nature Connection 

Eastfield Community Centre | Douglas Riddick 

Kilbryde Hospice & SLC | Annie Poutney 

MorphFit | Jamie Maddock 

Partnership and Collaboration 

Bee Line to Nature 

We would like to apologise for an error in the recently published multi-year guidance form for the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund.

It was stated that organisations have 18 months to spend this grant.  This is incorrect for multi-year grants. Organisations will have 30 months to spend an awarded grant from the date payment is made.

On behalf of South Lanarkshire’s Third Sector, VASLan have been working closely with South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) to review how we work together and how grant funding is delivered. Following workshops with over 110 third sector organisations, we are now ready to consult the sector on two key documents (attached):

1. Third Sector Partnership Agreement (TSPA) with SLC – outlining shared principles, behaviours, roles, and responsibilities for how we collaborate.