Moray mental health group shares in National Lottery funding boost
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MORAY groups have received a funding boost from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The £13milion grant has been shared across 319 community projects around the country, with four local groups set to benefit from the trust.
Alongside Aberlour Scout Group and Findochty Town Hall, which both received grants for improvements and repairs, the fund has donated large sums to two local organisations who provide community support projects.
Moray Wellbeing Hub, a social enterprise which supports people with mental health issues received an award of £198,588 from the trust.
The organisation provides peer mentorship groups and hopes the funding will enable them to further expand on their current community projects, focuses on making services accessible and challenging discrimination and stigma, by transforming negative association's of living with different health conditions into positive ones.
Heidi Tweedie, Champion and Director, Moray Wellbeing Hub, said: “This means we are able to offer meaningful support to people in Moray with life challenges that affect their mental health. As fellow peers, we can be there to empower them to make the change they want to see - to speak out, to offer peer-support, to campaign and improve services. The funding means a better future for us and others, it’s so exciting!”
"We're just a wee local organisation. This funding stabilises what we do, ensuring we have the funding to start and continue on with projects. Having three years of committed funding support will make a big difference."
Outside the Box Development Support, also received an award of £96,84 for their coastal connections project.
The programme works in the villages of Burghead, Hopeman and Cummingston and supports these communities to find solutions for local issues.
Kate Robertson, Community Development Adviser, Outside the Box Development Support said: “We are delighted to receive funding to develop our Coastal Connections project in Moray.
"The funding from the lottery will enable us and local groups to create more opportunities for people to get involved and influence what happens in their community. Through hosting community events, information events, training sessions, and learning exchanges with other areas, local people will have more skills, resources and support to take action.
"We've previously worked alongside older people, supporting them to have a voice and take action. Through that work we met people of all ages, who also want to be involved in developing local solutions so they work for everyone. These big issues impact everyone - people are struggling to keep their homes warm, travel to the doctor, to get to college, or to see family and friends. All this has an impact on our wellbeing and how we feel about ourselves and our community. Amazing things happen when communities work together on something they care about - the project will provide support and resources to take local ideas to the next stage.
"If you live or work locally or are part of a local community group and are interested in these issues get in touch with us, we're keen to include people of all ages."
