Five Organizations Unite for £96,080 Mental Health Funding in Clackmannanshire

A total of £96,080 has been allocated to five organizations in Clackmannanshire to enhance mental health support for young people facing various challenges. This funding, part of a collaborative initiative, aims to provide comprehensive services that address mental health issues among youth in the area.

Comprehensive Support Programs

The funding will be distributed among several key projects. SAMH’s Stronger Minds, Brighter Futures programme will receive £42,875 for a year. This initiative focuses on delivering early intervention strategies, increasing mental health literacy, and fostering collaboration among schools, families, and support networks.

Transform Forth Valley’s Time 4 Us Harm Prevention project is set to receive £25,954 over the same period. This project aims to implement community-based harm prevention measures that address substance-related risks, enhancing resilience and safety for vulnerable youth across Clackmannanshire.

Barnardo’s Little Roots programme has been awarded £13,504 to provide early-years emotional support from 2026 to 2028. The initiative focuses on building trusted relationships and strengthening family well-being to prevent mental health issues from escalating.

Additionally, Recycle-a-Bike will receive £10,057 for its Beyond Four Walls project, which leverages outdoor activities to bolster resilience and emotional regulation among young people. This project aims to facilitate positive transitions through strong partnerships with local schools.

Lastly, Arts Included CIC will be funded with £3,690 to conduct Groove Grove Guitar Sessions, a six-week programme designed to enhance confidence and community connections through creative engagement.

Transformative Collaboration

This funding initiative is part of the area’s Transformation Space, a groundbreaking partnership between Clackmannanshire Council, third-sector organizations, and social investors. Supported by £1 million from the Scottish Government’s Invest to Save Fund, Transformation Space is the first of its kind in Scotland, designed to pool public funding into a flexible resource to address pressing community issues.

Councillor Ellen Forson, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, highlighted the importance of community-driven solutions, stating, “Supporting young people through mental health challenges is not an issue unique to Clackmannanshire. The solutions offered by the Transformation Space’s Community Voice panel are tailored directly to the needs of young people in our community.”

She emphasized that this approach is shaped by local voices, including young people and parents, who understand the current pressures facing families. “We are directing funding where it will make the greatest difference and investing in long-term change rather than short-term fixes,” she added.

Andy Hyde, participation lead with Foundation Scotland, echoed this sentiment, noting that the funding reflects the strength of community engagement. “By working closely with the Community Voice panel, we identified projects that respond directly to lived experience and focus on early support, prevention, and resilience,” he said.

The funding will contribute to creating a more supportive environment for young people and families throughout Clackmannanshire. As these initiatives roll out, they are expected to make a significant impact in addressing mental health challenges and enhancing overall well-being in the region.