Peace of Mind are supporting people to form friendships and strengthen a sense of belonging within local communities.

"By sharing learning, resources and local knowledge, we aim to grow in a way that is sustainable, flexible & responsive to local priorities"

Peace of Mind aims to cultivate communities and nurture natural networks by supporting disabled people and people living with long term conditions, who are at risk of, or are experiencing, social isolation and exclusion, to get more involved in their local community. They aim to put people in control of improving their wellbeing, allowing them to identify what they are interested in, and supporting them to make it happen. This can include attending a local football match, going to the gym, going for a picnic, arts and crafts, developing new skills and even securing a volunteer position in a local café.

They support participants to identify activities and groups within their local area, connect with others who share similar interests, and develop a personalised care plan. Working closely with each individual, they explore creative solutions to help achieve personal goals, establish networking opportunities, and build meaningful connections. By linking participants with existing community groups, they help foster friendships and strengthen a sense of belonging within the local community.

Their approach is firmly rooted in a social prescribing model. Co-founder and Director Jim Withers said, “Being connected, active and having a circle of friends that you enjoy spending time with is key to improving your health and wellbeing. The people we support really are in control and they make the decisions that meet their needs whether through social, recreational, educational or employment opportunities.”

They recognise that better connected communities offer greater support to the people who need it. Their links with local government, local organisations and businesses and funding support from Scottish Government and the National Lottery have been crucial in establishing the programme as a mainstream service. Support from Fife Council allows them to support 55 people in the local area and pilot programmes in Moray and North Ayrshire have recently shown that there is a need for Peace of Mind in these localities. Their model of support is flexible and therefore, can adapt to local requirements.

A continuing challenge for local support organisations is overcoming entrenched mindsets and navigating restrictions around partnership working, alongside the ongoing uncertainty of sustainable funding. These barriers can limit collaboration and slow progress. Peace of Mind don’t want to duplicate existing services; instead, they aim to complement and strengthen what is already available. They focus on enhancing confidence, wellbeing, and social connections, enabling people to feel more included and better supported to actively participate in their local community.

Going forward their aim is to establish Peace of Mind in more communities across Scotland and beyond, responding to clear evidence of unmet need. “We are keen to work collaboratively with local authorities, third-sector organisations, community groups and other partners to build on existing provision rather than duplicate it.” Jim continues, “By sharing learning, resources and local knowledge, we aim to grow in a way that is sustainable, flexible and responsive to local priorities, enabling more people in different communities across Scotland to benefit from our inclusive, person centred approach.”

Learn more about the work of Peace of Mind via this link.

You can read all Connected Communities case studies here: https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/case_studies/?projects=connected-communities.