Managed by CVS Falkirk & District, the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (the Fund) aims to support community-based projects and initiatives to help address local mental health and wellbeing needs for adults across Falkirk District communities.

The Fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention, aiming to support activities which address priority issues of social isolation and loneliness; suicide prevention; and tackling poverty and inequality.

For Round 6, there are 3 grant types: Small (up to £2,000 for unconstituted groups; up to £5,000 otherwise); Medium (up to £10,000); and Large (up to £25,000). Only one application per group or organisation across any of the three grant levels will be accepted.

Please read the guidance below in full before making an application.

• Background

  The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has distributed £99million to community initiatives supporting mental health and wellbeing across Scotland since 2021. The Fund contributes to Outcome 4 of the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, supporting three key areas of focus:

  • Promote positive mental health and wellbeing for the whole population, improving understanding and tackling stigma, inequality and discrimination
  • Prevent mental health issues occurring or escalating and tackle underlying causes, adversities and inequalities wherever possible
  • Provide mental health and wellbeing support and care, ensuring people and communities can access the right information, skills, services and opportunities in the right place at the right time, using a person-centred approach

  The Fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention, aiming to support activities which address priority issues of social isolation and loneliness; suicide prevention; and tackling poverty and inequality. All funded projects will also have considered and developed an approach to:

  • Responding to the ongoing cost of living crisis
  • Supporting adults facing socio-economic disadvantage
  • Supporting adults from the six priority family groups identified in the previous Best Start Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan and the new Bringing Hope Building Futures Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026-2031.
• Fund Priorities and Outcomes

  Priority Issues

  The core purpose of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is to support:

  Projects and activities delivered by grass roots community groups, to adults aged 16 and over, to tackle mental health inequalities with a strong focus on prevention and early intervention and addressing at least one of the following priority issues: social isolation and loneliness; suicide prevention; tackling poverty and inequality.

  The Fund also seeks to contribute to the following national outcomes from the National Performance Framework:

  • We are healthy and active
  • We will live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe
  • We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

  Priority Groups

  Applicants should consider, from the list of priority groups below, which groups of people might benefit most from their proposed project – including what measures will be taken to encourage and support these groups to participate. You will be asked in your application to describe your planned approach to making your project accessible to the intended participants.

  • Women (particularly women experiencing gender based violence)
  • People with a long term health condition or disability
  • People from a Minority Ethnic background
  • Refugees and those with no recourse to public funds
  • People facing socio-economic disadvantage
  • People experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage
  • People with diagnosed mental illness
  • People affected by psychological trauma (including adverse childhood experiences)
  • People who have experienced bereavement or loss
  • People disadvantaged by geographical location (particularly remote and rural areas)
  • Older people (aged 50 and above)
  • People with neurological conditions or learning disabilities, and from neurodiverse communities
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities
  • Young people aged 16-24 

  Please note there will also be an ‘Other’ option where applicants can identify their own local priority group where they are not already listed, applicants should describe how and why they have identified any additional local priority group within their application.

  Priority Applicants

  Scottish Government clearly state that the Fund should support smaller, local and grass roots community groups and organisations, and that awards made to large and/or national organisations should be by exception only. It is recommended that most, if not all, awards should be made to small to medium sized local groups or organisations with an annual income of less than £1 million.

  Any award made to large and/or national organisations, with annual income of over £1 million, is likely to be where they propose to deliver a project or activity that meets a local need or gap that is not, or cannot be, addressed by a local organisation.

• Applying

  Eligible Applicants

  Applications can only be accepted from a range of third sector, voluntary, or ‘not for profit’ organisations, associations, groups and clubs, or consortiums/partnerships which have a strong community focus for their activities. The range of organisations eligible to apply are:

  • Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO)
  • Unincorporated Associations
  • Companies Limited by Guarantee
  • Trusts
  • Not-For-Profit Company or Asset Locked Company or Community Interest Companies (CIC)
  • Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies
  • Community Councils
  • Parent Councils*
  • Unconstituted Groups

  *There are some additional eligibility requirements for Parents Councils applying to the Fund, please contact CVS Falkirk & District for further information: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

  Please note: recipients of two-year grant allocation from Round 5 are not eligible to apply for further funding in Round 6 – as they will continue to receive the agreed funding amount for the second year as detailed in grant offer letters.

  Eligible Projects

  All funded projects and activities will:

  • Have a focus on prevention and/or early intervention
  • Benefit adults aged 16 years and over in the Falkirk Council area
  • Have demonstrated that they are community-based and/or community-led
  • Tackle mental health inequalities and support one or more of the Fund’s priority issues and priority groups
  • Have demonstrated how they will meet the needs of local individuals, groups and communities

  The Fund will support a mix of both existing projects in further delivery, and new projects to begin. Projects funded through the previous rounds of the Fund are eligible to apply again but should clearly show in their application how they will develop and improve their approach and where possible, build on their impact from previous rounds. Where an applicant wishes to apply for further funding for an existing project that is having a significant positive impact, they should provide evidence of this impact to demonstrate the need for further investment. Any applicant requesting funding to provide additional capacity for an existing project, should detail this in their application.

  Eligible Costs

  Please find lists of costs that can and cannot be funded in the table below:

  Can Be Funded	Cannot Be Funded
  Equipment	Contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
  Staff costs	Electricity generation and feed-in tariff payment
  Volunteer expenses	Political or religious campaigning
  Event costs, hall/venue hire	Profit-making or fundraising activities
  Training costs	VAT you can reclaim
  Transport	Statutory activities
  Utilities and running costs*	Overseas travel
  Small capital costs**	Alcohol

  *Requests to fund utilities and running costs should be proportionate and demonstrably relevant to the eligible project or activity.

  **Small capital costs up to £5k are eligible where they are relevant and appropriate in relation to the project or activity.

   Whilst the Fund is not for funding clinical treatment it can, on occasion, be used for specific clinical treatment services, such as counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) when certain other conditions are met and you should discuss your situation with CVS Falkirk & District before making an application that includes these types of costs.

  If you are unsure if any costs in your application are eligible, please get in touch ahead of time to discuss: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

  Additional Fund Requirements

  Fair Work First: Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Guidance directs that groups or organisations in receipt of any public sector grants, contracts or other funding from Saturday 1^st July 2023, MUST pay all staff the Real Living Wage. This requirement DOES now apply to this Fund’s successful applicants and will be stated in the Grant Offer Letter issued to all successful applicants. If this is a barrier or challenge for your organisation, please contact us to discuss your situation, by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

  ALISS Directory: ALISS is a national directory that allows people to search for health and wellbeing support available to them in their local area. All successful applicants must add their funded project, service or activity to the ALISS directory, as well as to any active local directories. This requirement will be stated in the Grant Offer Letter issued to all successful applicants.

  Fairer Funding Pilot: Scottish Government’s Fairer Funding Pilot, which supported Round 5 of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, allowed the allocation of two-year funding for some projects. Recipients of two-year funding grants are not eligible to apply for further funding in Round 6.

  Due Diligence: CVS Falkirk & District complete a number of due diligence processes for all applications to ensure a fair and robust management of the Fund. We ask that applicants provide all of the information requested when submitting their application and respond promptly to requests for further information so their application can be processed as soon as is possible. Where applicants do not respond to requests for information we may not be able to process their application and progress it for consideration by the independent funding panels for review, assessment and decision. Some of the information required will be dependent on the individual application however applicants are required to provide at least the following:

  • Copy of governing document (unless applicant is an unconstituted group)
  • Copy of most recent accounts (in whichever format is appropriate for legal structure of applicant, unconstituted applicants should instead provide information about how they plan to manage an award if successful)
  • Copy of an Adult Safeguarding Policy, Statement or detail on their approach to same
  • Copy of a Health and Safety Policy, Statement or detail on their approach to same
  • Recent bank statement (will be required if successful)

  We understand that some smaller or less experienced groups may need some support to meet these requirements, please get in touch if you need help to provide the relevant documentation and evidence with your application: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

• Data Protection and Your Rights

  CVS Falkirk & District is committed to processing all personal data confidentially and in full compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR), its privacy statement, and data protection legislation. As the data controller, CVS Falkirk & District processes personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently for specified purposes, ensuring data is accurate, secure, and retained only as necessary.

  In relation to funding applications, CVS Falkirk & District processes personal information under the legal basis of contract. Data provided will be used to process applications (including sharing with the funding panel), for performance monitoring, and for statistical reporting by CVS Falkirk & District, Falkirk Community Planning Partnership, and the Scottish Government. All information is stored securely, retained in line with grant requirements, and will not be shared beyond these purposes except to detect or prevent fraud.

  Applicants have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data. By submitting an application, you confirm you are authorised to do so, that you understand the fund’s criteria, and that you consent to CVS Falkirk & District holding and sharing your data as required to manage the grants process, including any personal data provided by third parties with their permission.

  For more information or if you have any questions, concerns please contact the organisation’s Data Protection Officer: Victoria McRae, by email: victoria@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

• What Happens Next

  When you submit your application through the CVS Falkirk Grant Funding Portal (GFP), you will receive an email confirming we have received your application. All applications are then processed and submitted to an independent local funding panel for review and assessment.

  All applicants should respond swiftly to any requests for additional information or evidence to help us process application as soon as is possible. We strongly encourage all applicants to explore a range of funding streams and income generation methods in addition to this Fund.

  Once decisions are made, all applicants will receive an email informing them of the result of their application. Successful applicants will be issued a Grant Offer Letter to review and sign, with grants only able to be paid on receipt of the signed Grant Offer Letter and a satisfactory reference. It is disappointing for an applicant when their application is unsuccessful, therefore we offer the opportunity to receive appropriate feedback and support to find alternative funding schemes.

  We anticipate receiving a high volume of applications and that we will be able to respond to most applicants with a decision by the end of 2026. We will be unable to respond to individual requests for updates prior to this date.

  Monitoring and Evaluation

  Successful applicants will be required to complete a 6-week summary report to let us know how their project is progressing along with a more in-depth end of project report which will include information about the number and types of people who benefited, the overall impact of your project, any significant successes and challenges and a case study or project story. Where it is appropriate, we would also like to see photographs or videos.

  Awardees in receipt of a larger grant, or second-year funding, should expect to engage with CVS Falkirk & District more regularly and to provide additional, relevant information around the 6 month mark. All successful applicants are encouraged to keep in touch and to share good news and emerging project impacts, as well as to ask for support with any challenges.

  Please get in touch if you have any questions about any aspect of the Fund before you make your application:

  • By phone: 01324 692000
  • By email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
• Frequently Asked Questions

  Who will benefit from funded activity?

  The Fund will help to tackle mental health and wellbeing inequalities and increase community-led support options for adults aged 16 years and over and across Falkirk and District.

  Is there a minimum grant we can apply for?

  There is no minimum grant amount, we understand that small amounts of money can have a big impact on local communities.

  What is the maximum grant we can apply for?

  If you are an unconstituted group the maximum you can apply for is £2,000. Otherwise it is dependent on the type of Grant you apply for – Small Grant maximum is £5,000; Medium Grant maximum is £10,000, and Large Grant maximum is £25,000.

  When is the deadline for applications?

  Applications must be submitted online, via CVS Falkirk & District’s Grant Funding Portal, by 1pm Tuesday 13 October 2026.

  When will I receive a decision on my application?

  We anticipate receiving a high volume of applications and that we will be able to respond to each with a decision by the end of 2026. We will be unable to respond to individual requests for updates prior to this date.

  How many applications can we submit?

  The fund is limited to one application per group or organisation for each round.

  Are there any restrictions on which type of organisations can apply?

  The fund is only open to third sector organisations, this includes voluntary groups, social enterprises, community councils and parent councils. Private enterprises and public bodies cannot apply.

  If an organisation already has a two-year grant from Round 5, can it apply in this round for a project based within a different service?

  No, organisations that received two-year funding in Round 5 are not eligible to apply for further funding in this round. This is to provide opportunities for a broader range of organisations to benefit from the funding and to increase the overall impact across the Falkirk District.

  If successful, when must our award be completed and spent by?

  CVS Falkirk & District must distribute funds for Round 6 to successful applicants before 31 March 2027. We anticipate decisions will be shared in December 2026 with funding distributed in early 2027. Funded projects can begin as soon as they receive their grant and should be completed with funding spent by Friday 31 March 2028 and end of year reporting submitted shortly afterwards.

  Is the fund for revenue or capital funding?

  Applicants may request funding for small capital expenditure such as the construction, refurbishment and/or purchase of buildings, amenities or vehicles for up to £5,000 where the benefits of the capital expenditure can demonstrably contribute to the Fund outcomes. This limitation does not apply to the purchase of small items of equipment.

  Can a large national organisation apply?

  The Fund is aimed at smaller, local and grass roots groups and organisations with annual income under £1 million. Large and/or national organisations, with annual income of over £1 million, are eligible to apply however Scottish Government direct they should be funded by exception and where they can deliver a project or activity that meets a local need or gap that is not, or cannot be, addressed by a local organisation.

  How do I apply?

  Please apply online through the CVS Falkirk & District Grant Funding Portal where you will also find a range of resources and information to help you develop your application. We can provide you with a copy of the questions if you would like to prepare your application offline in the first instance.

  How can I get support to apply to this Fund?

  To support applicants to the Fund, CVS Falkirk & District will hold two information sessions in a hybrid format, based in our office (FK1 1XR) and online via Microsoft Teams. These will be held on: Tuesday 1 September 2026, 6pm – 7pm; and Wednesday 2 September 2026, 1pm – 2pm. To register your place, please email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk, specifying which session you wish to attend.

  If my group or organisation has applied in the past and been unsuccessful, how can I make sure I don’t make the same mistakes?

  CVS Falkirk & District are happy to support all applicants to the Fund; if you are unsure about any element of the application process, please email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk. If you would find it help to review a previous application to this Fund, our Capacity Building Officers would be happy to provide feedback to help strengthen your current application.