£315,000 of lottery funding split across 15 projects

Nearly 600 groups across Scotland are celebrating a share of £19.3 million from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The funding, set up to power up local projects, comes as the National Lottery prepares to celebrate its 30th birthday next month.

Among those receiving funding is North Berwick charity Chill East Lothian.

The group received £11,149 to offer introductory sea swimming sessions for people who are socially isolated or suffering from anxiety or depression.

The sessions are designed to help residents improve their physical and mental health. 

READ MORE: Cold water therapy to relieve stress

Paul McCabe, of North Berwick, had been interested in open water swimming but did not have the confidence to try it for himself until he found the group.

The 54-year-old said: “The team are always friendly and encouraging, supporting everyone in the group as individuals with safety tips and practical advice – pushing us just enough so that we are getting more confident as the weeks go on. 

“I’ll definitely continue open water swimming after the course finishes as I’ve found that lower back pain I’ve had for years goes away for a couple of days after my swim, as well as feeling generally more positive and energetic.

“The group has introduced me to a whole community of other swimmers and we all have home-made biscuits together after the swim.” 

Katie Cunningham, hub leader, was “incredibly grateful” to have received funding to run introductory sea dipping courses over the next two years.

She said: “Currently, we’re halfway through our first eight-week course, where 19 people from East Lothian join us weekly at West Bay Beach, North Berwick, to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sea swimming. 

“Our sessions, led by a chill coach and beach lifeguard, provide a safe and welcoming space for people to build confidence in the water, learn sea safety and practise skills like floating and duck diving.”

Gail Imrie (left) and Lesley Spencer have attended Keep The Heid's mental health cafe (Image: Contributed)

Another group receiving funding is Keep The Heid, which has been awarded £19,556 to support its mental health cafés.

Run by professional facilitators and volunteers with lived experience, the café offers a safe and supportive space for open discussions on mental health, including the impact of conditions like anxiety and depression.

Lesley Spencer, of Tranent, is a regular at the café.

The 61-year-old felt that there would be a big hole in her life without Keep The Heid.

Lesley is retiring soon and was concerned about not having structure to her day, saying: “Without structure you get nothing done. Keep The Heid anchors my week.”  

Emma Jackson, founder of Keep The Heid, was delighted to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Emma Jackson founded Keep The Heid (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “The feedback we have from attendees is overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the service as a lifeline.

“Our sessions are unique in that they are facilitated by a mental health professional and a volunteer with lived experience of mental health problems. 

“We now hope to expand into other local authorities in Scotland.”  

Also benefiting are Haddington-based British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, which received £10,000 as funding to provide exercise and relaxation classes for older people in East Lothian, while Carers of East Lothian was awarded £18,896 to provide free therapeutic support for unpaid male carers experiencing poor mental health.

Gifford Community Land Company was given funding of £9,242 to upkeep and provide nature-related activities and learning opportunities for all ages in its community woodland, while Growing Matters will use £10,100 to go towards building a large pond and water system in the walled garden at Gilmerton House, near Athelstaneford, and upgrade the paths around it.

KARELE received £20,000, which will go towards providing 50 free spaces for equine therapy to improve the mental health and reduce the isolation of children and young people, while Macmerry and District Children’s Gala received £5,000 which will help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the village’s gala day.

Musselburgh and District Citizens Advice Bureau will use £20,000 of funding to run weekly East Lothian financial inclusion network meetings and to engage in work to help tackle poverty, while MADE in East Lothian will use £19,500 to continue and grow its programme of free activities at its arts community hub in Haddington.

Our Community Kitchen will use £9,360 to continue to expand its community garden and food provision for the community, while People Know How secured £10,000 to continue and increase the provision of free digital services to tackle digital exclusion for lower-income families.

The Destiny Project SCIO received £3,600, which will go towards running its Young Ambassador Programme to support children and young people’s mental health, while the Lammermuir Larder will use £52,340 to keep running its food pantry and to provide advocacy services.

Finally, The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland received £99,030, which will go towards the delivery of sporting memories groups across the Central Belt and Fife.