Tag: Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund

Funding boost for organisations bringing people together

TACKLING LONELINESS

Projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027.

A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or other activities, aimed at older people, carers, disabled people and young parents.

This includes the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust providing arts and crafts to patients and their loved ones, Down’s Syndrome Scotland to support their social activities, such as last week’s summer prom for children and families, and the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh to host gatherings for older people and carers. 

Other local beneficiaries of the funding iinclude Pilton Community Health Project, Edinburgh Tool Library, Pilmeny Development Project and Leith’s Living Memories Association.

Marking the end of Loneliness Awareness Week, Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said: “Loneliness can affect anyone and the cost-of-living crisis has increased isolation for many, including young people, carers and disabled people. Our funding will allow organisations to extend their projects, keeping people connected during this challenging time.

“I thank the organisations who are providing this vital support to people across Scotland, ensuring that people feel warmth and connection in their communities and can access important support networks.”

Launched in August 2023, funding through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will culminate in March 2027 with over £3.8 million having been invested and at least 20,000 people supported.

Grampian Hospitals Art Trust Art and social activities for people in NHS settings

Grampian Society for the Blind, operating as North East Sensory Services (NESS) Social groups and activities for people with a visual impairment

Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network Health, wellbeing and social activities for older people

Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIO Befriending and social activities for older people, people with dementia

Helensburgh Lunch Club Lunch club for older people

North Argyll Carers Centre Social activities indoors/outdoors for unpaid carers (young and older).  Intergenerational elements

Parent to Parent Ltd Peer social support groups for parents

Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise Walking football for older people

Contact Point in East Dunbartonshire SCIO Social club and café for older people, disabled people and those with long term health conditions

Carers Link East Dunbartonshire Café and social outings for carers

Home-Start East Lothian Volunteer befriending for isolated families

Our Community Kitchen Lunches and activities for older people, disabled people and those with mental health conditions

Stepping Out Range of indoor and outdoor activities for people with mental health conditions

Big Hearts Community Trust Social gatherings and activities for older people and carers.  Volunteering.

Edinburgh Tool Library Group build project and volunteering for people from the LGBT+ community

Pilmeny Development Project Creative arts, health and wellbeing activities and refreshments for older people

Pilton Community Health Project Social indoor and outdoor activities for men and women

Care for Carers Small group breaks for unpaid carers

The Living Memory Association Range of group activities for health and wellbeing for older people

Denny Community Support Group Range of indoor and outdoor social and group activities for older, younger, families, recovery.

Freedom Of Mind Community Choir Choir singing

Abbey Church of Dunfermline Creative arts for people with dementia

Fife Society for the Blind aka Seescape Befriending, group sessions and drop ins for people with a visual impairment

The Linda Tremble Foundation (trading as SupportED) 1:1 befriending and support groups for people with eating disorders

Easthall Residents Association Men, women and single mothers (3 groups) – a range of indoor and outdoor activities

Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise CIC Craft and chat for women (BAME, refugee, asylum)

Maryhill Integration Network Choir for women of all backgrounds

The Urban Roots Initiative Lunch club for older people

The Well Multi-Cultural Resource Centre 1:1 support, toddler parent groups, ESOL, lunches and activities for women and children

Woodlands Community Development Trust Community café, activities, information, cooking for all age groups

Glasgow Association for Mental Health Wellbeing and social activities for young people aged 16-25 with mental health conditions

Glasgow Disability Alliance Digital connections for disabled people

Home-Start Glasgow South Community club for parents/carers with young families

British Deaf Association Providing information and support to the deaf community, online and in person

Project Ability Creative arts for disabled people

Down’s Syndrome Scotland Social face to face activities for people with Downs Syndrome

The National Autistic Society Online and face to face group sessions for people with autism

ENABLE Scotland Community based (indoor and outdoor) activities for people with a learning disability

Good Morning Project Limited (known as Good Morning Service) Telephone befriending for older people

Caithness Voluntary Group Befriending; mens group for older, disabled adults

Inverness Foodstuff Social lunches for homeless and other vulnerable people

Merkinch Partnership Ltd Developing a working group with lived experience to support others affected by SIAL

Scottish Men’s Sheds Association Develop and support Mens Sheds across the Highlands and Islands

Inverkip Community Initiative Community resource for a range of groups; access to chat, tea/coffee, internet, jobs information and signposting

Tagsa Uibhist Training, community walks and community social events for older people affected by dementia.

Cunninghame MS Drop-In Centre Social lunches, activities and trips for people with MS

Beith Community Development Trust Telephone befriending and social get togethers for older people

Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health (LAMH) Wellbeing activity classes for people with mental health conditions and older people, disabled people.

Sanday Afternoon Club Community meals, activities and outings for older people

Letham4All SCIO Community groups and activities for older people, parents with young children, young people

Lochside Neighbourhood Group Social meals and activities/info for older people with low income

Forth Community Resource Centre Steering Group Activity cafés for older people, living on own, carers.

Building stronger social connections

Organisations awarded share of £3.2 million fund

More than 50 projects tackling social isolation and loneliness throughout Scotland have received a share of a new fund.

Edinburgh recipients of Social Isolation and Loneliness Funding include Big Hearts Community Trust, Edinburgh Tool Library, Pilmeny Development Project, Pilton Community Health Project and The Living Memory Association.

Activities delivered by the organisations include community choirs, walking football, Men’s Sheds and volunteering opportunities.

Equalities Minister Emma Roddick visited Inverness Foodstuff, one of the successful projects, to see the impact of their work and hear how support through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will benefit the local community.

Ms Roddick said: “Social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, but especially those most affected by the cost of living crisis such as disabled people, younger people, and those who live alone.

“The Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund is providing support to a range of projects across Scotland which deliver vital services in their communities. Inverness Foodstuff is a great example of how this Scottish Government funding will help to bring more people together, creating stronger social connections and improving public health.

“We are determined to tackle the harm caused by this hidden problem and this Fund is just one of the actions we are taking to help tackle social isolation and loneliness through our plan, Recovering our Connections.”

Inverness Foodstuff has been awarded a grant of £72,000 to deliver their lunch club twice a week in the Hilton area of Inverness. The lunch club will benefit an estimated 2,400 homeless and vulnerable people in the area over the duration of the Fund.

Chair of Inverness Foodstuff Stuart Black said: “Inverness Foodstuff has operated from Ness Bank Church since 2015 offering hot food three times a week, utilising surplus food.

“But, it’s more than just a meal. We offer access to clothing, debt relief, IT support, mental health support, housing and homelessness support and access to hairdressing. Inverness Foodstuff also provides 75 volunteering opportunities.

“Over the past year we have served 8,500 meals in our city centre premises, an increase of 58% compared to 2021-22. This reflects the cost of living crisis and the extent of poverty in our city.

“We are delighted to gain Scottish Government funding to expand our service into Hilton, a recognised area of need, in partnership with Highlife Highland.”

Scottish Government launches new Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund

Support for community groups bringing people and communities together to tackle isolation has been launched today.

The £3.8 million Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund is part of a new plan, Recovering our Connections, that aims to reduce inequality by bringing people from communities across Scotland together.

Equalities and Older People’s Minister Christina McKelvie said: “As our society changes, there is increasing recognition of social isolation and loneliness as major public health issues that can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental wellbeing.

“The new Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will provide vital, longer-term support for organisations and projects working on the ground to bring people together and build connections in communities throughout the country.

“Everyone can play a part in tackling these challenges, and our new plan reaffirms our commitment to building a connected Scotland for everyone.”

Chief Executive Officer of Generations Working Together Alison Clyde said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the new Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund is being launched today at our annual conference.

“We are confident that this fund will generate new opportunities to tackle social isolation and loneliness in all ages, and we are excited by its potential to support innovative and impactful intergenerational projects across Scotland.”

Recovering Our Connections (2023)

The Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will distribute £3.8 million to community groups and organisations tackling social isolation and loneliness until July 2026.

Expressions of Interest in applying for the fund are open until 31 March 2026.