As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.
We’re excited to share a story from one of Volunteer Midlothian’s own volunteers, Callum. He volunteers with our Transform Project, helping out in the community garden. Listen to his volunteering story by watching the video below:
“I can say wholeheartedly the positive impact it’s given my life.”
In this piece, Monika describes her current experience volunteering on a project with one of our member organisations, Midlothian Sure Start. She also discusses her search for volunteering roles before finding her place at Midlothian Sure Start.
“Thanks to this project I am growing as a person, meeting new people, making new friends, and feeling like a part of our community.“
Monika
Volunteer at Midlothian Sure Start
“I am Monika, one of the 13 trained volunteers that are working on the “Our stories” project that is led by Midlothian Sure Start. The project is sponsored by Midlothian Council and funded by the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Accelerator Fund. We, the researchers, are all different and come from different backgrounds and possess different skill sets that complement each other. We all have lived experience when it comes to children’s poverty, hence our passionate approach to the topic.
We had a 6-week course (one group is based in Dalkeith, one in Penicuik) preparing us for working on our community research project that involves talking to local families with children who experienced or are currently experiencing either absolute or relative poverty. In general, we are aiming to talk to 100 families by December. Before that, we are hoping to talk to the majority of families to identify common struggles and to then present them to The Scottish Government in October during Poverty Week and propose some changes. At the same time, we are hoping to show some of the stories in a creative way during our exhibition in October and January.
Our community project is the first of its kind in Midlothian, we don’t have any ‘set structure’ and we learn as we go. Our group is very creative when it comes to working on exhibitions, and I would love to say the sky is the limit, but, unfortunately, we have a limited budget, and we need to find more budget friendly ways to express our findings. Each of us devote their free time as much as we can, talk to others at various events, like today’s one, share news about our project on radio etc.
I feel supported by Tim and his managers, I believe I could ask for their guidance or help with anything. And if you know Tim, you know he is ready to help anybody 24/7.
My personal journey has been an interesting one and I believe everything happens for a reason. As my kids are very young (the oldest one was 3.5 years old when my third kid was born) and I was working full time and part time, I had limited opportunities to volunteer. We don’t have any family in the UK, and I felt that by contributing to our community it would make me a part of it. I contacted two places in Penicuik within the last year where I could put my skills to use but, in the end, nothing came out of it. I ended up on Sure Start’s emailing list and just one day contacted Tim about the project he was starting as I was curious what it was.
Fast forward a few months, I am helping with interviews, meeting new people, creating exhibits based on the stories we collected. If you told me last January I would be writing poems, a song with a professional singer and writer, or using my passion for photography, I would simply not believe you. Thanks to this project I am growing as a person, meeting new people, making new friends, and feeling like a part of our community.
I had recently learnt that I love listening to people and decided to become a counselor in the future. I have already planned the studies and plan to apply for the next term. I am very excited about it as I will be able to help people and learn new skills”.
As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.
We’re excited to share a range of stories from volunteers at Penicuik Storehouse. They are a community-owned cooperative with a mission to bring the community together, to promote sustainable living, and to encourage healthy eating for all.
“The staff are lovely, friendly, and always grateful for the volunteers.”
Jackie
Volunteer at Penicuik Storehouse
“My name is Jackie. I am 57 years old and I volunteer in the shop at the Penicuik Storehouse. I started volunteering here almost one year ago and I love it. I decided to begin volunteering after having to stop work some years ago due to chronic illness. I became quite isolated and wanted to give something back when I felt well enough. Although it can be stressful when busy, everyone takes a laid-back approach which is great. They put your needs as priority. For example, I struggle with fatigue and pain. I only have to request, and help is always there. A seat, a coffee, a wee break.
What I enjoy most is the socialising. Meeting new people and chatting. The staff are lovely, friendly, and always grateful for the volunteers. What I have experienced personally from volunteering is my self-esteem returning and a build-up of confidence generally. I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of volunteering to do so at the Penicuik Storehouse. It really is a lovely place to work”.
Alan
Volunteer at Penicuik Storehouse
“I started at the Storehouse with no idea what it was about. All I wanted was to keep on helping within my community. Heck, I thought I would only do a couple of hours a week then I was asked if I could do the Community Lunch. I thought sure and it was chaos. I had no idea. But I was helped and learned and Iove the challenge and buzz of cooking for our customers’ community. I love trying to think of new recipes”.
Louise
Volunteer at Penicuik Storehouse
“I have been volunteering at Penicuik Storehouse for almost 2 years. The reason I started volunteering at the Storehouse was to get out of the house and meet people. When volunteering, I work on the till and serve customers. Recently I have learned how to write down customer orders for the café.
I have gained confidence since volunteering at the Storehouse and like to try new things. I like meeting new people and also new staff too and I love to work on the till with my buddy and like to see my pal from Bonnyrigg too. I would recommend volunteering at the Storehouse. My advice is, ‘Try your best and have fun with it!’”
As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.
We’re pleased to share a story from a volunteer named Marion. She volunteers with The Steading (Rosewell Development Trust), a vibrant hub that offers a range of activities and services to the community.
Marion
Volunteer at The Steading
“Soon after I retired and moved to Rosewell, I began to volunteer at the R.D.T. pensioners lunch club. Here I really saw the direct impact of volunteering and the different challenges faced by others.
It’s always fun and just a pleasure to listen to the stories and tales of the pensioners lives and hear about the history of the village and its residents.
I have become very good friends with my co-volunteer and together we enjoy coffee or lunches and meet up occasionally. We both feel very much part of the local community!
About a year ago I helped set up a ladies table tennis group. It started with a few local ladies joining and now about 12 ladies play on a regular basis. It’s a fun class, full of laughter and it’s a safe space for us all. Afterward we have tea and coffee, and it’s here that lots of lasting friendships have been made. Many of the ladies, myself included, have felt our fitness levels have improved and we have confidence to play with other groups, some of us now play 3-4 times per week. The highlight is when we play with the local men’s team (once a month). They coach us and encourage our play and treat us to coffee and cake.
For me, volunteering is a fulfilling experience offering social connections and leading to great friendships”.
Midlothian TSI are delighted to confirm that free Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership for Qualifying Voluntary Organisation (QVO) volunteers will continue.
This announcement follows Disclosure Scotland’s consultation over PVG fees last year. We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation, and in doing so, influencing this decision. There was a great national response and consistent messaging from across the third sector.
As well as continuing the fee waiver for QVOs, fees for the new Level 1 and Level 2 disclosures will remain at their equivalent levels in 2025. Further details of the announcement can be found on Disclosure Scotland’s website.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 will begin implementation on April 1 2025, with the first key change being that PVG membership for those in Regulated Roles will become mandatory.
As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.
We’re happy to share a story from a volunteer driver named John. He volunteers with HCL Transport, a local charity that provide essential services that support people of any age who have mobility challenges.
“I would encourage everyone to get involved in the volunteer sector if they are able, as many groups and organisations are crying out for help. There is a role out there for everyone!”
John
Volunteer Driver at HCL
“I retired in 2019 after 30 years as a Police Officer and then lockdown hit. My wife had been a nurse for over 40 years until her retirement in 2017, and with the arrival of the pandemic, she volunteered to go to a COVID Ward to help out and ultimately to assist in the vaccination programme. I felt like I should also try and help out, so in June 2020, volunteered to be a telephone befriender via the Midlothian group ‘Fancy a Blether’. I was given two older gentlemen to engage with over the phone once a week and did so for the next year. To be honest, I found it difficult to keep the conversation going at times and ultimately realised this type of role wasn’t a good fit for me.
I then got in contact with the Edinburgh Food Project at Sighthill and did some work there for a few weeks, before moving on to support the work at the Vaccination Centre at The Royal Highland Showground. This was a massive operation and the role involved welcoming people to the Centre, providing information and reassurance to them before and after vaccination.
The travelling to and from the Showground proved to be problematic so in March 2021 I started to cover the Vaccination Centre at Gorebridge Leisure Centre and worked there until February 2022.
In March that year I began working as a volunteer driver with HCL Transport, based at Loanhead, who provide supported accessible transport for people with mobility challenges in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
I’m still working there today and having done a variety of roles, I’ve eventually found the one that best suits me. I enjoy the driving and meeting the service users who absolutely rely on us to get out and about. As a volunteer I can be really flexible about when I work and the company are always happy when I’m available to help out.
I would encourage everyone to get involved in the volunteer sector if they are able, as many groups and organisations are crying out for help. There is a role out there for everyone!”
As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.
We’re delighted to share a story from a volunteer named Euan. He volunteers with VOCAL, who provide support for unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian, to help identify the issues affecting them and achieve the best possible outcome for carers.
“I realised that I was not alone on the journey that was unfolding in front of me.”
Euan
Peer Mentor Volunteer at VOCAL
“My interface with Vocal and the services they offer started after my mother passed away, leaving my father at 88 with Dementia. I did not even consider myself a carer until mail for my mother from Vocal was still coming to her, as I had not informed them of her death. On reading the mail from Vocal, I realised that I was not alone on the journey that was unfolding in front of me.
My father had a professional care package already in place. I attended several of Vocal’s day courses to help me understand his condition and prepare for what lay ahead. At my first course, all who attended were asked to introduce themselves, say who they were caring for and say what condition or type of dementia the person they were caring for had.
I had no idea until that first course how many different types of dementia there are and more importantly, I had no idea what dementia my father was suffering from, I had never asked and my mother never told me. I contacted our GP practice, and because I had been listed by my mum as next of kin after she passed away, I was told my dad had Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia. Our relationship over my 3-year caring journey went through a complete role reversal of our parent-child roles. I took early retirement from my job BUT when I tell you my final job was being in charge of the Roads Department for the City of Edinburgh Council it wasn’t too hard to step way early. So, I ended up feeding my dad, reading him stories, consoling him, wiping his bottom and, along with his paid carers, generally looking after him. I found that looking back through family photo albums and listening to music stimulated his failing memory and brought us closer together. I never lived with my father but interacted with his paid carers on a daily basis.
The break sessions in the Vocal courses I attended started the participants informally discussing their roles as carers, and through that I was more able to accept my role as a carer, as well as my role as a son. The discussions brought the attendees together in sharing the experience they were going through with their family members.
I think Vocal picked up on this interaction and asked for volunteers to be trained as “peer mentors”, to literally share experiences with carers in similar roles. I carried out the training, became a peer mentor and, in that role, have met many carers over the past few years. My father passed away at 91, when I was being trained, so my carer role ceased, but I continued training to become a peer mentor.
I still find it cathartic to talk about my father and the caring experience I had with him, so peer mentoring has given me that sharing opportunity to talk about my father, that otherwise would never have happened. I am assured by Vocal staff who receive the feedback from carers who have been through peer mentoring, that it has been a hugely positive experience and is very well received. It may however never have happened if, as I believe, Vocal had not keenly observed the interactions of attendees at their day courses, and seen the value in carers sharing their experiences, in order to help other carers deal better or more knowledgeably with their caring role.
Vocal was there for me when I needed information to help me understand my father’s condition and the anticipated journey of a terminal disease. I am fortunate, and I even feel privileged, to have been given the opportunity to repay Vocal by volunteering for them in my role as a peer mentor”.
Some changes are already in effect, while others will be introduced in phases. This blog focuses on the most significant updates and how charities in Midlothian can prepare. You can read more about the changes on OSCR’s website or checkout a detailed summary from SCVO.
What Has Changed Since April 1, 2024?
The first set of changes came into effect in April 2024:
Enhanced Inquiry Powers: OSCR can direct charities to take specific actions, appoint interim trustees, and investigate former charities and trustees.
Removal from Register: Charities that fail to submit accounts or engage with OSCR may be removed from the Scottish Charity Register.
Connection to Scotland: Charities are required to demonstrate a meaningful connection to Scotland.
Simplified Processes: Reduced notice periods for certain charity changes, like mergers and name updates.
Interim Trustee Appointments: OSCR will have the power to appoint interim trustees.
Record of Removed Persons: A searchable database of disqualified individuals has been published to help charities vet prospective trustees more easily.
What’s Coming in 2025?
The following updates will roll out in mid-late 2025, to give charities time to prepare:
Schedule of Charity Trustees: OSCR will hold an internal record of trustees and publish all names of trustees to the Scottish Charity Register.
Publishing Charity Accounts: All charities will be required to submit accounts to OSCR each year – these will be publicly available.
Extended Disqualification Rules: The list of offences for automatic disqualification will be extended and will also apply to staff or volunteers who undertake a senior management function for a charity.
Register of Charity Mergers: OSCR will create a register of charity mergers and, where a merger is recorded, the new charity will be entitled to any legacies bequeathed to charity that has merged with it.
Other technical changes: Read OSCR’s summary for details on other small amendments.
What Won’t Change?
Does not replace the 2005 Act.
OSCR’s regulatory role and existing powers.
General duties of trustees.
The Charity Test and purposes.
Accounting and reporting requirements.
What Can You Do to Prepare?
Update Trustee Records: Ensure all details are accurate and up to date.
Audit Your Accounts: Prepare them for public scrutiny by correcting inaccuracies or removing sensitive details.
Refresh Governance Policies: Review and update induction packs/ due diligence processes.
Regulated Roles: Current ‘Regulated Work’ will become ‘Regulated Roles.’ If you’re in a Regulated Role, you legally need to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
New Responsibilities: Both the organisation and the individual are now responsible for ensuring PVG membership if in a Regulated Role. This means if your organisation mistakenly says you don’t need a PVG when you actually do, both parties could face legal consequences.
New Roles Added: Some roles that weren’t previously covered by the PVG scheme, like football agents, talent scouts, and certain hospice positions, now require it.
What You Need To Do:
Check if You’re Doing or Providing a Regulated Role: Identify if your role or your staff/ volunteers’ roles are classed as Regulated Roles.
Get PVG Membership if Required: If your role qualifies, make sure you join the PVG scheme before April 1 2025.
Stay Updated: Check out Disclosure Scotland’s website at www.disclosure.gov.scot for full details of the upcoming changes.
If you are unsure about the changes or have any questions, contact Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS):
Midlothian Third Sector Interface published the following press release this week:
Midlothian charities are calling on the UK Government to ensure that support is provided to cover costs brought on by the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs).
Recent announcements from the UK Budget have raised extreme concern over the impact on charities and community groups across Midlothian. The increase in employer’s NICs from 13.8% to 15% is a further financial burden coming at a time when many organisations are already teetering on the edge of financial crisis. Without support from the UK Government to mitigate the impact of these increases, there is significant threat of redundancies and service closures across the voluntary sector.
For charities in Midlothian, the impact is already being felt. One Midlothian charity explained,
“It will cost us close to £100,000 extra per year in increases to NI contributions and the real living wage.”
Another local charity echoed this concern,
“The increase in national insurance contributions alone will cost us over £10,000 annually. We are already struggling to meet growing demand for our services.”
Charities in Midlothian do not operate in isolation; they complement and support public services, from mental health support and social care to youth services and food banks. The loss of these vital third sector services will not only be detrimental to the communities they serve but also to the public sector, which will be further strained, leaving people with nowhere to go.
These announcements come on top of Midlothian Council’s recent savings proposal consultation, which outlines potential cuts and reductions to public services across the county as the council seeks to lessen its budget shortfalls.
Unlike the public sector, which has been assured support to offset NIC increases, the voluntary sector has yet to receive any such commitment. We are calling on the UK Government to extend this support to employers in the third sector.
Midlothian TSI staff members recently took part in a bespoke Think Carer training session, delivered by VOCAL Midlothian.
VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian – is a charity that supports and empowers unpaid carers through individual support, information, training, and access to services. VOCAL work in partnership with employers across all sectors, supporting their ambitions to upskill managers and become a carer friendly workplace.
Think Carer Training Recap
The Think Carer training provided us with valuable insights into the role of unpaid carers and how to better support them. The session offered a chance to reflect on how carers are identified and the impact caregiving can have on their health & wellbeing. We explored practical tips for ensuring carers feel recognised and supported, while also considering the benefits this brings to those they care for.
Overall, the training highlighted the importance of acknowledging and supporting unpaid carers, offering tools and insight into the range of services VOCAL offers.
Supporting Carers in the Workplace
Caring responsibilities are often a hidden issue in the workplace, making it challenging for employees to seek support. In fact, one in five carers leave their jobs because balancing work with caregiving becomes overwhelming.
As the number of people with caring responsibilities continues to rise, it’s increasingly important for workplaces to create supportive environments where carers feel valued and can access the help they need to balance both roles effectively.
To address this, VOCAL partners with employers across sectors to help managers develop carer-friendly workplaces. In collaboration with VOCAL, we are hosting an Identifying and Supporting Carers at Worktraining session, specifically tailored for third sector leaders in Midlothian.
Join us online on Tuesday 5 November, 11:00 to increase your awareness of working carers, and how you can best support employees juggling work and care.
During this session, managers will reflect on the hidden impacts of caring and learn how to identify and support unpaid carers within their organisations.
#ProtectUnpaidCarers Campaign
The Scottish Government recently made the decision to not include unpaid carers as an eligible group for the COVID-19 vaccine in Scotland. We support VOCAL’s campaign to advocate against this decision and ensure the Scottish Government recognises the crucial role of unpaid carers. Read more about the campaign and learn how you can get involved here.
Contact
For further information on the training and support VOCAL can provide, please contact employers@vocal.org.uk.
See all of the support & services VOCAL provides on their website: www.vocal.org.uk
Community-led climate action and environmental projects are essential in tackling today’s environmental challenges, but accessing the right funding is often a barrier. That’s why we teamed up with our colleagues at the Midlothian Climate Action Network (MCAN) to host a workshop all about funding.
We reviewed some top tips to ensure your funding application is as good as it can be, including making sure that you write for an “intelligent outsider” and avoid acronyms and jargon.
Common mistakes to avoid
There can be a wide variety of reasons why funding applications are rejected, but in MVA’s experience there are a few comments that crop up over and over again. These include not clearly linking the activities proposed with the impact expected, not answering questions asked in the application and not providing proof for statements such as “we have a long history…”.
Click through to the presentation here:MCAN Funding Event Presentation FINAL to find a list of funders that provide funds for climate and environmental projects within Midlothian. For SCVO members, you can access their Funding – SCVO page that allows you to search for funding opportunities specific to the project you are planning.
Visit our Funding page to find out more about third sector funding in Midlothian.
Contact Us
We’re here to help! You can email us with any questions or to set up a one-to-one meeting, at info@mvacvs.org.uk.
Community benefits are special contract conditions, additional to the main purpose of a public contract, whereby suppliers or developers must make contributions to improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of the local area.
Here are a few examples of benefits which have been delivered recently in Midlothian:
FES Energy Shawfair Energy Centre and District Heating Network project donated £1,000 to Newton Church Hall to kickstart their fundraising for a new automated door to make it more accessible for the many groups that utilise the hall. They also provided gardening equipment for their after-school club to plant a vegetable garden.
Millerhall Residents Group also received a donation of £1,000 from FES towards a new gate for their play area and some bat boxes for bats whose habitat may have been lost in the new housing development.
The Base, a new youth club in The Hub Danderhall, received a donation of £500 towards their rental costs from Clark Contracts, who are undertaking work at the Western General Hospital.
Roslin Guerrilla Gardeners were delighted to work with 2 volunteers from Clark Contracts who spent a day clearing weeds at Roslin Medical Practice.
Midlothian Voluntary Action placed a bid on the NHS portal for 8 new office chairs which was fulfilled by Langstane Press Ltd.
We offer free community benefits training to organisations & community groups in Midlothian! We’ll take you through how to apply, offer 1-1 support, and answer any questions you may have.
Last week, MVA held a Naloxone training and harm reduction session for third sector staff and volunteers in Midlothian. The session was delivered by Ross Ballantine, Clinical Support Worker with the Midlothian Substance Use Service, and David Boyd, Harm Reduction Worker from MELD and the Scottish Drugs Forum.
National Context
Scottish mortality rates to drug misuse and related deaths are the highest in Europe. The annual National Records of Scotland report provides insightful statistics of the ongoing drug crisis:
In 2023, 1,172 people in Scotland died due to drug-related causes—a 12% increase from the previous year.
Opiates and opioids were implicated in 80% of all drug-related deaths.
People living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more than 15 times as likely to die from drug misuse compared to those in the least deprived areas.
Drug-related deaths have been steadily rising since 1996, with a much steeper increase since 2013.
This stark reality reinforces the need to raise awareness of harm reduction approaches.
Harm Reduction & Lived Experience
During the session David spoke of his own lived experience, sharing his journey through different support services, the mindset change that led to him to recovery, and the harm reduction work he does now. David’s message echoed a quote from Johann Hari,
“The opposite of addiction is connection.” – Johann Hari
His story serves as a powerful reminder of the role community, support, and understanding play in recovery.
Hearing David’s real-life experiences emphasises the importance of involving those with lived experience in service delivery. It underlines the significant impact that partnerships between mental health professionals, wellbeing staff, and individuals with lived experience can have in delivering more comprehensive support.
Following the discussion on harm reduction, participants were trained on how to recognise an overdose and administer naloxone.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, restoring normal breathing for someone who has stopped or is struggling to breathe due to an overdose. Administration of naloxone provides crucial time for emergency services to arrive and for further treatment to be given. In the UK it is legal for anyone to administer naloxone to anyone for the purpose of saving a life.
Always call 999 if you think someone is having an overdose. Administering naloxone is not a substitute for calling an ambulance.
How is Naloxone Administered?
In Scotland, naloxone kits can come in two forms:
Nasal Spray (Nyxoid): A quick and easy method that involves spraying Naloxone into one of the person’s nostrils.
Injectable (Prenoxad): A pre-filled syringe that can be injected into the muscle, typically in the thigh, buttock, or upper arm.
Scotland was the first country in the world to introduce a national naloxone programme. The Scottish Government established the programme in 2010, aiming to reduce opioid-related deaths. Through this initiative, take-home naloxone kits are made widely available to those at risk of overdose, as well as to people who are likely to witness an overdose, such as family members, friends, or workers in the community. The availability of take-home naloxone has become even more crucial as Scotland faces a rise in synthetic drugs and polydrug use, both of which are contributing to the country’s alarming overdose statistics.
Takeaways from the Session
While the session offered practical naloxone training, the broader conversation touched on the challenges faced by third-sector and public services in supporting people with addiction. Cuts in funding resulting in low staff retention and reductions in services, make it difficult to provide consistent, trauma-informed care. Addressing these systemic issues is critical to improving outcomes for service users.
A recent report by the Scottish Drugs Forum gives insights into the experience of people in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), identifying the need to improve treatment. You can read the report here.
Special Thanks
We are incredibly grateful to Ross Ballantine for organizing the training and supplying take-home Naloxone kits, and to David Boyd for sharing his lived experience—his openness brought an important perspective to the session. Ross & David are happy to arrange similar training for organisations & volunteers in Midlothian. Please contact MVA for more details.
Getting the Message Out
As we continue to push forward with harm reduction efforts, it’s vital to raise awareness of harm reduction strategies like the provision of naloxone. Campaigns like #StopTheDeaths and International Overdose Awareness Day aim to amplify this message, ensuring more people understand how they can help prevent overdoses in their communities. You can find out more in the resources linked below.
We can all do something to help prevent drug related deaths.
This fund, highly valued and eagerly anticipated, aims to support people’s mental health and wellbeing while offering opportunities for community connections. It focuses on funding activities that address mental health challenges early or prevent the deterioration of wellbeing. Midlothian Third Sector Interface has been appointed by the Scottish Government to distribute the funding locally. The fund emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and supporting grassroots community groups in tackling mental health inequalities. Organisations are encouraged to work together, and the fund’s processes are designed to be easy to understand and accessible. We seek to fund group projects that promote good mental health, foster meaningful and supportive connections within communities, and help individuals find a sense of purpose.
History and Evolution of the Fund
The fund was initially established to respond to the mental health effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Year 2, the fund expanded its scope to address the cost-of-living crisis. Year 3 continued to emphasize the importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing through tough times, particularly for those living in poverty or experiencing work-related distress.
Year 4 Focus and Objectives
In year 4, the grant will continue to support community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing. It also aims to mitigate and protect against the impact of distress, anxieties, diagnosed mental ill health, and neurodiversity within the adult population. The fund is particularly focused on addressing social isolation and loneliness, as well as preventing suicides.
Grant Streams in Year 4
Year 4 will continue the existing distribution model, dividing the fund across three separate grant streams:
Microgrants: Up to £2,000 (min £500)
Small Grants: Up to £10,000
Larger Grants: Up to £30,000
To complement these grant streams, up to £5,000 per organisation will also be available for capital spending. Both new projects and existing ones that demonstrate impact and progress are encouraged to apply.
Oversight and Community Involvement
The model used in Midlothian has been replicated across Scotland over the last three years. Every Third Sector Interface (TSI) and voluntary group in the country has been involved in raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing through community-based activities.
In Midlothian, the fund is overseen by a team of staff and volunteers from the TSI, Midlothian Council, Health in Mind, NHS Lothian, and Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership. Like the previous years, the year 4 funding—informally called “the Sunflower Fund”—emphasizes collaboration, partnerships, capacity building, and the development of creative projects that operate at a grassroots level.
In year 4, people with lived experience are again involved in the fund’s administration and decision-making processes. The Detailed Fund Guideline outlines various aspects of the fund, continuing the year 3 theme of building on existing collaborations while empowering new ones.
A Message from Our Chief Officer
“We are delighted to have been given this money again to support local organisations in such difficult times of austerity and scarce funding streams. We strongly believe in community strength and spirit to support each other, learn from each other, and connect. Throughout the years, we have seen evidence of good partnership working, and we will encourage this yet again this year to leave a lasting impact and pave the paths for future collaborations. We know that Midlothian’s communities are committed to supporting good mental health and wellbeing, whether this is through specialist trauma-informed practices, walking and talking, or simply a cup of tea and a blether. I believe the Fund will enable more people to make social connections and access opportunities that promote good mental health, prevent worsening of wellbeing, and empower people to overcome mental health challenges.”
