LOCAL mental health and wellbeing charities and groups can now apply for grants to help tackle issues such as inequality, suicide and social isolation.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is now in its fourth year, so far having distributed about £51 million, with more than 4,700 grants made to local projects across Scotland.

East Lothian has been allocated £283,404 of the total fund, with grants of up to £25,000 being available for projects operating throughout the county.

Applications opened on Monday, September 30, and will close on Friday, November 29.

Year four of the fund in East Lothian will be distributed through Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL), which is the administrator and lead partner of a local partnership group assessing applications.

Specifically, the fund aims to tackle a wide range of “critical wellbeing challenges” affecting the local community, including mental health inequalities, social isolation and loneliness, suicide and poverty.

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The fund can support small ‘grassroots’ community groups and organisations, as well as both existing and new projects.

Applications are invited from small and medium-sized organisations with a turnover of under £1 million per year.

Money can go towards areas including purchasing equipment, materials and capital costs; one-off events; hall and room hire; participation costs; staffing and training costs; transport; utilities and running costs; and volunteer expenses.

Successful applicants will be notified by award letters no later than January 31 next year, with funds distributed no later than March 31. Project activity should commence in March/April, with most of the work completed by March 31, 2026.

For more information or to apply, go to volunteereastlothian.org.uk/all-news/communities-mental-health-amp-wellbeing-fund-for-adults-year-4-now-open