Evaluation of the Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults

The Scottish Government has published an evaluation report of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults.

The devastating impact of isolation and loneliness which came with COVID-19 was recognised by the Scottish Government in 2020 and the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults was established to combat these challenging circumstances.

“Most people coming in say that they’re tense, emotional, apprehensive and alone but after the sessions, they feel comforted, refreshed and stronger.”

Project staff member

How was change achieved?

10 groups were established through a community call-out for local group activity ideas and they represented a diverse mix of interests and involved a wide range of local people in terms of age (16-75) gender, sexual orientation and health conditions. They established the following activities to allow people to step away from the frightening times during COVID-19, and step into a more comforting experience.

• Free Improvisation: Run by musicians and open to those who wanted to improvise and compose
• Queer Club: LGBTQIA+ activists met to advocate for the community and established Dumfries Pride
• Climate Kitchen: Meet to discuss the climate crisis & identify solutions
• Doughlicious: A breadmaking club that used the café to support people to make healthy bread;
• De-Growth Club: that met to discuss alternative living that was socially and environmentally conscious
• River Nith Conversation: that focused on how to protect the local river;
• Doon Gamers: Role playing card gaming club that met monthly for gaming sessions in the venue;
• Café Cuts: A lo-fi DJ evening on Saturday nights;
• Repair Shop: that repaired, fixed and buillt things from older things; and
• WRITE!: A monthly creative writing workshop.

Funding

“In October 2020, the Scottish Government produced the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan as part of its response to the mental health impacts of Covid-19. The plan addressed the challenges that the pandemic had, and would continue to have, on the population’s mental health. It laid out key areas of mental health need that have arisen as a result of Covid-19 and lockdown. In February 2021, £120 million of funding was announced to ensure the delivery of the commitments set out in the plan.”- Scottish Government.

• The Fund is being delivered through a locally focused and co-ordinated approach via Local Partnership Groups working together and building upon existing partnerships to ensure that support to ensure that support to community based organisations is directed appropriately and in a coherent way.
• Each TSI has overall accountability for the spend at local level and for working in collaboration with Integration Authorities and other existing local partnerships; leads in the coordination of the local plan and undertakes fund administration, capacity building support and local monitoring and evaluation.
• £15 million was distributed across all regions and in line with current NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee Formula (NRAC). Further detail can be found at Annex C.

What did the TSIs do? (third sector Scottish charities)

Each TSI has accountability for the spend at local level, overall £15 million was distributed across all regions. The evaluation approach included desk-based research and several activities to gather evidence and views from TSIs, funded projects, project participants/people with lived experience of mental wellbeing concerns and national stakeholders. 

Impact of the Fund on local community supports available for improving people’s mental health and wellbeing

Using responses to the survey, the government considered how to…

• Promote and support the conditions for good mental health and wellbeing at population level
• Provide accessible signposting to help, advice and support
• Provide a rapid and easily accessible response to those in distress
• Ensure safe, effective treatment and care of people living with mental illness

Summary by Scottish Government

The evaluation findings showed that the TSI-led management model has worked well with involvement from multi-sector partners and people with lived experience to deliver a Fund that addresses local needs and priorities. The administration and capacity building grant was a valuable resource to build capacity internally and support capacity building in community organisations by developing their skills to apply to the Fund and other funding and increase their organisational capabilities. The learning from the experiences of the TSIs and the funded projects provides opportunities for the Scottish Government and TSIs to make small changes to enhance future delivery and management of the Fund.

Relevant Links and Documents

Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults Year 2 – Monitoring and Reporting Summary – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Evaluation of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Supporting documents – Evaluation of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

End of page.