This fund, allocated by the Scottish Government is aimed at supporting initiatives which promote mental health and wellbeing at a small scale, grassroots and community level addressing priority issues of social isolation and loneliness, suicide prevention and poverty and inequality.
With a total fund of £654,738 available to distribute over the next 2 years, we received 65 applications totalling over £1.3M in funding requests.
We are delighted to confirm the 44 successful applicants for this fund, who will be delivering projects in their communities over the next 1-2 years.
Brighter Blainslie Village Community Group – £900.00
Monthly community lunch sessions in Blainslie, which provide social connection, wellbeing support, and inclusive activities for residents and visitors. The project reduces isolation, supports people with health conditions and carers, and helps newcomers integrate by creating a warm, welcoming community space.
Duns Senior Citizens – £1,247.50
Summer Trip to Seahouses with meal for members who have limited access to transport, offering them a scenic day out, retail opportunities, and a shared meal. The trip aims to give participants an enjoyable social experience and a valued treat that they would otherwise be unable to access.
Works+ – £1,400.00
This will create and furnish a dedicated private space for confidential one to one support within the charity’s employability programme. This safe environment will enable staff to address participants’ mental and emotional wellbeing barriers more effectively, strengthening resilience and improving employment outcomes.
Whitsome Village Hall SCIO – £1,789.00
Weekly winter lunch club in Whitsome, offering local residents a free hot meal and a welcoming space to socialise. Hosted in the village hall from November onward, the project aims to support community connection and wellbeing during the colder months.
Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Community Trust – £2,040.00
Weekly Para Football sessions in Galashiels for over two dozen adults with mental and physical disabilities, improving health, wellbeing, confidence, and social connection while offering respite for carers. As the only adult programme of its kind in the Borders, it combines training, competition, and group activities to reduce isolation. Funding will also support new monthly workshops and outings, including equality sessions, dietary and mental health talks, and visits to football venues.
Kelso Orchard Tennis Club – £2,200.00
Weekly community programme in Kelso for people living with long term illness and pain, offering gentle Clinical Somatic Movement sessions in an accessible, welcoming venue. The aim is to reduce isolation, build confidence, and gradually introduce participants to light tennis based activities. The programme also links with existing sessions in local care and health settings, giving participants the combined benefits of movement, social connection, and supported physical activity.
Duns Silver Sunday – £2,725.00
Annual event for older residents in Duns, offering lunch, entertainment, refreshments, and social interaction to support wellbeing and reduce isolation. Run by local volunteers, it provides a friendly, inclusive space for those with mobility or transport challenges, with feedback highlighting the enjoyable meals and music.
St Boswells OAP Social Club – £2,840.00
To give members a full day out in a safe, inclusive environment to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing. It offers access to new activities and places they wouldn’t normally experience, strengthens community relationships, removes financial barriers, and helps tackle mental health inequalities.
Inspiring Life: Evie Douglas Memorial Fund – £4,338.22
A multi week creative festival in Peebles offering film, drama, dance, music, therapeutic workshops, and social events to bring the community together in a safe, inclusive environment. Most activities will be free to ensure accessibility, with the aim of encouraging people of all ages and abilities to try new experiences, build confidence, make connections, and strengthen community resilience.
Goat Willow Pottery CIC – £4,672.84
Intergenerational pottery project offering two 8 week blocks of guided sessions where participants create personalised themed tiles and collaborate on a group mural. The project encourages creativity, shared decision making, and social connection, fostering friendships across ages. Once the mural is complete, all participants will be invited back to celebrate their collective work.
A Heart for Duns – £4,902.00
A programme in Duns of creative, confidence building activities to improve mental health, reduce rural isolation, and support older people in Berwickshire. Through free arts and cultural sessions, group projects, volunteering opportunities, and personalised wellbeing plans, it offers a safe, inclusive space for personal growth and social connection. Working with local charities, it will provide 32 sessions a year for small groups, culminating in shared exhibitions and celebrations, and aims to build a sustainable, community strengthening initiative.
Take to the Water – £4,984.00
A locally led project in the Eildon area, supporting women in the Scottish Borders to improve mental health, resilience, and social connection through guided cold water immersion and nature based wellbeing activities. It provides a safe, trauma informed, and accessible space for women facing stress, loneliness, or disadvantage to build coping skills, increase physical activity, and form supportive peer networks. The programme directly tackles isolation and strengthens resilience while offering practical tools for confidence, stress management, and wellbeing.
The Hawick Acorn Project Initiative (HAPi) – £4,999.44
Bicycle Maintenance Training Project, workshops in Hawick for young people aged 16–24, building resilience and supporting those at risk of exclusion or poor mental health. Funding will sustain and develop the programme following two successful pilot blocks, providing practical skills training in a structured, supportive environment.
Cycling Without Age Scotland (CWAS) – £5,000.00
Trishaw e bike rides for people in Melrose, including care home residents, adults with learning difficulties, and those living alone, to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. The rides provide a stimulating outdoor experience, helping people feel connected, uplifted, and more engaged with their community. This unique, sustainable service also encourages walking, cycling, and greater awareness of local path networks.
Eyemouth Development Trust – Splash – £5,000.00
Supporting adults in Eyemouth – particularly those facing poverty, poor mental health, and isolation – through outdoor, nature based activities that build confidence, resilience, and community connection. Drawing on local land and marine environments, sessions will include mindfulness, creative learning, conservation, and community action. The project strengthens existing Splash initiatives and provides supported pathways into volunteering, training, and wider community involvement.
Royal Voluntary Service – £5,000.00
Scottish Borders Dementia Service delivering four weekly activity groups and a monthly drop in café for people living with dementia and their carers across Eyemouth, Hawick, Galashiels, Jedburgh and Chirnside. Sessions include music, chair based exercise, games, cookery and other cognitively stimulating activities that keep people active and connected within their communities, with orientation support to aid confidence and familiarity.
Allanbank Arts – £5,000.00
Community arts and wellbeing project in the Berwickshire area that will deliver 110 inclusive creative sessions for disabled people, those with long term conditions or mental illness, and individuals in rural areas, helping reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. Professionally led workshops build confidence, strengthen social connections, and complement clinical support, with strong evidence of positive impact from year one. An intergenerational element involves young volunteers, and plans for years two and three focus on sustainability through volunteer development, wider partnerships, and participant led contributions.
Let’s Eat Better CIC – £5,000.00
Weekly cooking sessions for vulnerable adults and people with disabilities, using healthy, affordable food to support better mental wellbeing through improved diet and social connection. Participants will learn practical skills, prepare low cost meals together, and take part in garden and outreach activities that reduce isolation and build resilience. The programme targets deprived areas in Berwickshire, Cheviot and Eildon areas and aligns with mental health priorities by improving nutrition, strengthening social bonds, and offering inclusive, supportive weekly opportunities.
Champion Skill Share – £8,630.00
Providing a supportive weekly space in Peebles – primarily for people with learning disabilities to reduce isolation, build confidence, and develop practical skills through social activities, crafts, and structured routines. The group focuses on friendship, participation, and improving literacy and numeracy through hands on tasks. Funding will help cover hall hire, lunches, craft materials, publicity, and group outings, ensuring the project can continue to offer meaningful connection and learning opportunities.
A Positive Start CIC – £9,000.00
A two year trauma informed mental health programme for adults in the Scottish Borders. The project supports people facing loneliness, isolation, poverty related stress, and trauma through weekly connection groups, resilience workshops, 1:1 emotional support, and community events. Its focus is on early intervention, helping participants build coping skills, reduce distress, and prevent mental health crises.
Dementia Friendly Tweeddale – £9,600.00
The project will establish the first Meeting Centre in the Scottish Borders, based in Tweeddale to support people with mild to moderate dementia and their carers. Building on a proven international model, it will offer structured, community based activities alongside parallel support for carers to reduce isolation and strengthen coping skills. Following initial sessions, a full pilot will launch in Peebles with delivery two days per week. The Centre targets those at high risk of loneliness, mental health inequalities, and socio economic disadvantage, creating a supportive, connection focused environment.
Dynamic Community Fusion – £9,889.00
Volunteer and Peer Project with BBIS (Borders Brain Injury Service) providing one to one rehabilitation and monthly peer support groups across the Scottish Borders to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing for people recovering from brain injury. Early support is vital, as brain injury survivors face significantly increased risks of depression and suicide. Additional funding will expand group activities and grow the volunteer team by recruiting 15 new volunteers over two years, strengthening capacity to deliver inclusive, therapeutic support across the region.
Coldingham Brave Bayers CIC – £9,981.00
Wild Swimming for Wellbeing, expansion of inclusive, nature based wellbeing programme in Berwickshire, which uses wild swimming, mindfulness, and movement to reduce mental health inequalities and rural isolation. Delivered by facilitators with lived experience, the project builds confidence, resilience, and peer connection through accessible, fully supported outdoor sessions. Previous delivery shows strong improvements in wellbeing, and new funding will allow CBB to scale the programme, refine facilitation, and reduce waiting lists.
Borders Additional Needs Group – £10,000.00
A Family Wellbeing Worker will provide timely, flexible support to parent carers of children and young people with Additional Support Needs across the Scottish Borders. The role will assess family needs, offer guidance, coordinate referrals, support Family Hubs, and help carers build resilience using the Ways to Be Well framework. This targeted, early intervention support will reduce distress, prevent crises, and strengthen families facing rising pressures and limited statutory provision.
LGBT Youth Scotland – £10,000.00
Expansion of support for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 across the Scottish Borders, particularly those in rural or disadvantaged areas who face high levels of isolation and suicide risk. The project will strengthen protective factors through 1:1 coaching, digital and in person peer groups, wellbeing workshops, and inclusive events.
Interest Link Borders – £11,000.00
Supporting 26 adults with learning disabilities in Tweeddale through two new befriending groups focused on cooking and keep fit activities. The groups will reduce loneliness, build confidence, and offer meaningful social connections, supported by trained volunteers and skilled facilitators. Funding will enable high quality, small group sessions that improve wellbeing, develop skills, and provide much needed opportunities for inclusion for both members and their carers.
Peebles Old Parish Church Of Scotland – £13,364.00
Expansion of welcoming craft classes for vulnerable senior citizens in Peebles experiencing disability, dementia, poverty, or isolation. Sessions will be delivered in sheltered housing and care home lounges, with additional classes in new public venues to encourage more mobile older adults back into their communities. The programme promotes activity, social connection, confidence, and wellbeing for those most at risk of loneliness.
ParentSpace (SCIO) – £16,987.51
Delivering a range of courses in the Scottish Borders, workshops, drop ins and 1:1 support to help parents and carers build confidence, reduce isolation and strengthen family relationships. Using evidence based, attachment informed approaches, it will improve emotional regulation, communication with schools and services, and overall resilience. By offering early intervention and tailored guidance, the programme supports healthier families and more connected communities.
Borders Care Voice – £18,789.90
A lived experience led mental health group in the Scottish Borders that aims to expand its outreach worker role to better reach rural and isolated communities. Through 1:1 engagement, buddying, and informal community conversations, the project will reduce isolation, amplify local voices, and ensure people can influence mental health support and service design across the region.
The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland – £18,990.00
Establishing the first two Sporting Memories Clubs in the Scottish Borders, in the Cheviot and Tweeddale areas using sport based reminiscence, social activities and gentle physical exercise to support older people living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, depression, loneliness and limited mobility. Run with local partners and volunteers, and supported by occupational therapy, the Clubs will improve mental and physical wellbeing, reduce isolation, and build confidence and connection in the community.
Peer 2 Peer Mindfulness – £19,868.00
Delivering a two year Living Mindfulness programme offering 90 free, creative mindfulness based activity sessions – such as mindful stargazing, singing and blacksmithing, led by trained peer volunteers across the Scottish Borders. A part time coordinator will support volunteers, organise sessions and build partnerships, expanding access for around 900 people. The project tackles inequalities, reduces isolation, and builds resilient wellbeing through accessible, nature based, community led mindfulness activities.
Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau – £20,000.00
Providing rapid, dignified support in the Central Borders area to people facing financial hardship by offering holistic advice, income maximisation work, and crisis prevention through a wrap around service. Delivered by a Holistic Adviser, Income Maximisation Worker and trained volunteers, it will tackle food and fuel insecurity through accessible, flexible support across outreach, bureau, online and phone channels. The project focuses on prevention, reducing future need, improving engagement, and offering training pathways for community members.
Berwickshire Swap – £20,000.00
Creating a Volunteer Support & Development Officer role to strengthen its volunteer programme, which supports parents – especially new mothers who benefit from reduced isolation, increased confidence, and improved wellbeing through volunteering. The charity provides reused baby equipment, clothing and essentials to families experiencing hardship, and the new role will offer structured support, training and wellbeing activities for volunteers. The project tackles poverty, loneliness and inequality while building resilience and strong community support networks.
Abundant Borders – £20,602.00
Delivering Wellbeing in Green Spaces, a two year nature based programme supporting people facing poverty, poor mental health, long term conditions and isolation across the Scottish Borders. A dedicated officer will run weekly therapeutic gardening, gentle activity and mindfulness sessions, provide 1:1 support, and strengthen referral pathways with local services. By creating safe, accessible entry points into community life, the project will reduce loneliness, build confidence and resilience, and embed wellbeing practices across Abundant Borders’ garden network.
Cheviot Youth – £27,000.00
A new youth led wellbeing initiative for 16–25 year olds in the Scottish Borders, filling the gap between children’s and adult services. The project will train young adults as accredited peer leaders who co deliver monthly wellbeing sessions focused on stress reduction, healthy routines, creativity and social connection. With strong referral pathways and targeted rural outreach, PeerKind will support 100 – 120 young people over two years, building resilience through safe, suicide aware peer support and creating a lasting network of trained youth leaders.
Recovery Coaching Scotland CIC – £32,398.00
Borders wide network of peer led Recovery Cafés, ensuring their stability and expansion. The cafés provide safe, welcoming spaces offering peer support, recovery meetings, wellbeing sessions, volunteering opportunities, and free hot meals for people in recovery or at risk of poor mental health. With planned new cafés and SMART groups, the project tackles suicide risk, loneliness, poverty and builds resilience through community connection and early intervention support.
Nurture The Borders SCIO – £35,000.00
Enhanced one to one befriending service offering early, community based mental health support for parents during pregnancy and the first two years after birth. Trained volunteers with lived experience will provide empathetic peer support through home and community visits across the Scottish Borders, helping parents overcome isolation, build confidence, and access local services. Prioritising young, lone, rural and low income parents, the project supports both parental and infant wellbeing and directly addresses suicide prevention, loneliness, poverty and resilience building.
Peeblesshire Foodbank – £36,440.00
Coffee Clubs, to sustain and strengthen Community Cafés in Walkerburn, Innerleithen and West Linton. These free, welcoming spaces reduce rural isolation and support people facing poverty, poor mental health and long term conditions, while connecting them with advice services such as Citizens Advice and NHS outreach. Each café supports 20–35 people per session, providing refreshments, social connection and early intervention support. The project directly tackles loneliness, inequality and builds community resilience.
TD1 Youth Hub – £37,170.00
Supporting 40 young adults (16–26) in Galashiels and Eildon West through trauma informed one to one mentoring, low pressure wellbeing groups, and practical support that removes barriers to participation. The project tackles isolation, poverty and poor mental health, while offering accessible routes into education, volunteering and employment. A dedicated worker will deliver structured, early intervention support that builds confidence, routine and resilience so participants can move forward when ready.
Burnfoot Community Futures – £37,416.47
Reopening a vibrant community café in Burnfoot to replace the much missed space lost in 2023, offering social connection, free activities and access to support. Building on successful pilots—including a busy Lunch Club, intergenerational café sessions, and supported volunteering—the café will provide training, placements, adult learning and community-led activities. With services such as housing, energy and benefits advice on site, the café will reduce isolation, strengthen skills, and create an inclusive hub shaped by local people.
Nature Unlimited – £38,582.00
Extension of a successful nature based recovery programme for people facing severe disadvantage, providing 40 sessions per year that build social connection, confidence and wellbeing in outdoor settings. Participants will take part in structured, therapeutic activities in nature, supported by trained staff and volunteers across the Cheviot, Eildon and Teviot and Liddesdale areas. The project also includes volunteer training and development, including enhanced suicide prevention skills, to strengthen safe, inclusive delivery and long term impact.
Survivors Unite – £39,992.12
Expansion of Peer Support Service by creating a new facilitated peer group in the East Borders and launching a Peer Befriending Project for survivors further along in recovery. Both will offer free, safe, survivor led spaces for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to rebuild trust, reduce isolation, and strengthen coping and resilience. The expansion will improve access for those facing barriers such as disability, rural isolation and limited transport, fostering long term mutual support across Borders communities.
Borders Women’s Aid – £40,000.00
To sustain and strengthen BWA’s outreach service across the Scottish Borders, which provides essential one to one emotional support, safety planning and practical help for women experiencing domestic abuse. With demand rising and core funding ending, support is urgently needed to maintain this lifeline service and continue delivering peer programmes that reduce isolation, rebuild confidence and improve mental wellbeing. The project directly tackles mental health impacts, inequality and loneliness for women at high risk of trauma and suicide.
Greener Peebles – £40,000.00
Expansion of community garden activities in Peebles that support people facing isolation, poor mental health, disadvantage and other vulnerabilities. The project delivers regular volunteering sessions, skill shares, community events and wellbeing activities that build connection, confidence and resilience. By offering inclusive, practical, nature based sessions and free opportunities that reduce cost of living pressures, the garden creates a supportive space where diverse at risk groups can develop skills, peer support and improved wellbeing.
