This six-month long project (which comes to an end in December 2020) started with the distribution of small grant funding to help local third sector organisations deliver mental health support services in the community for people affected by Covid-19. The grant criteria stipulated that this was to be done through the involvement of volunteers.

The seven projects to receive funding were: Anam Cara, Alzheimer Scotland, Cyrenians, Dalkeith CAB, Midlothian Sure Start, Rosewell Development Trust and Vocal Midlothian.

To date, the projects have supported a range of different user groups including carers, families, people who are socially isolated, people with dementia, vulnerable women and more. Much of the work has been done digitally or through telephone contact, but where possible there has also been some socially distanced face-to-face work. 

Volunteer Midlothian worked in partnership with Health in Mind to create a tailored volunteer training programme focused on mental health and wellbeing. The training has now been delivered to over 50 volunteers to raise awareness of and build capacity around, mental health in the community. The project ends in December 2020.