Scottish government announces funding boost for loneliness organisations

Sunday, 21 June 2026 13:45

Scottish projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027. A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or other activities, aimed at older people, carers, disabled people and young parents. This includes the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust providing arts and...Request free trial

Scottish projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027.

A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or other activities, aimed at older people, carers, disabled people and young parents.

This includes the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust providing arts and crafts to patients and their loved ones, Down's Syndrome Scotland to support their social activities, such as last week's summer prom for children and families, and the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh to host gatherings for older people and carers.

Marking the end of Loneliness Awareness Week, Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said:

Loneliness can affect anyone and the cost-of-living crisis has increased isolation for many, including young people, carers and disabled people.

Our funding will allow organisations to extend their projects, keeping people connected during this challenging time.

I thank the organisations who are providing this vital support to people across Scotland, ensuring that people feel warmth and connection in their communities and can access important support networks.

Background

Launched in August 2023, funding through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will culminate in March 2027 with over £3.8 million having been invested and at least 20,000 people supported.

Grampian Hospitals Art Trust	Art and social activities for people in NHS settings
Grampian Society for the Blind, operating as North East Sensory Services (NESS)	Social groups and activities for people with a visual impairment
Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network	Health, wellbeing and social activities for older people
Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIO	Befriending and social activities for older people, people with dementia
Helensburgh Lunch Club	Lunch club for older people
North Argyll Carers Centre	Social activities indoors/outdoors for unpaid carers (young and older). Intergenerational elements
Parent to Parent Ltd	Peer social support groups for parents
Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise	Walking football for older people
Contact Point in East Dunbartonshire SCIO	Social club and café for older people, disabled people and those with long term health conditions
Carers Link East Dunbartonshire	Café and social outings for carers
Home-Start East Lothian	Volunteer befriending for isolated families
Our Community Kitchen	Lunches and activities for older people, disabled people and those with mental health conditions
Stepping Out	Range of indoor and outdoor activities for people with mental health conditions
Big Hearts Community Trust	Social gatherings and activities for older people and carers. Volunteering.
Edinburgh Tool Library	Group build project and volunteering for people from the LGBT+ community
Pilmeny Development Project	Creative arts, health and wellbeing activities and refreshments for older people
Pilton Community Health Project	Social indoor and outdoor activities for men and women
Care for Carers	Small group breaks for unpaid carers
The Living Memory Association	Range of group activities for health and wellbeing for older people
Denny Community Support Group	Range of indoor and outdoor social and group activities for older, younger, families, recovery.
Freedom Of Mind Community Choir	Choir singing
Abbey Church of Dunfermline	Creative arts for people with dementia
Fife Society for the Blind aka Seescape	Befriending, group sessions and drop ins for people with a visual impairment
The Linda Tremble Foundation (trading as SupportED)	1:1 befriending and support groups for people with eating disorders
Easthall Residents Association	Men, women and single mothers (3 groups) - a range of indoor and outdoor activities
Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise CIC	Craft and chat for women (BAME, refugee, asylum)
Maryhill Integration Network	Choir for women of all backgrounds
The Urban Roots Initiative	Lunch club for older people
The Well Multi-Cultural Resource Centre	1:1 support, toddler parent groups, ESOL, lunches and activities for women and children
Woodlands Community Development Trust	Community café, activities, information, cooking for all age groups
Glasgow Association for Mental Health	Wellbeing and social activities for young people aged 16-25 with mental health conditions
Glasgow Disability Alliance	Digital connections for disabled people
Home-Start Glasgow South	Community club for parents/carers with young families
British Deaf Association	Providing information and support to the deaf community, online and in person
Project Ability	Creative arts for disabled people
Down's Syndrome Scotland	Social face to face activities for people with Downs Syndrome
The National Autistic Society	Online and face to face group sessions for people with autism
ENABLE Scotland	Community based (indoor and outdoor) activities for people with a learning disability
Good Morning Project Limited (known as Good Morning Service)	Telephone befriending for older people
Caithness Voluntary Group	Befriending; mens group for older, disabled adults
Inverness Foodstuff	Social lunches for homeless and other vulnerable people
Merkinch Partnership Ltd	Developing a working group with lived experience to support others affected by SIAL
Scottish Men's Sheds Association	Develop and support Mens Sheds across the Highlands and Islands
Inverkip Communiy Initiative	Community resource for a range of groups; access to chat, tea/coffee, internet, jobs information and signposting
Tagsa Uibhist	Training, community walks and community social events for older people affected by dementia.
Cunninghame MS Drop-In Centre	Social lunches, activities and trips for people with MS
Beith Community Development Trust	Telephone befriending and social get togethers for older people
Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health (LAMH)	Wellbeing activity classes for people with mental health conditions and older people, disabled people.
Sanday Afternoon Club	Community meals, activities and outings for older people
Letham4All SCIO	Community groups and activities for older people, parents with young children, young people
Lochside Neighbourhood Group	Social meals and activities/info for older people with low income
Forth Community Resource Centre Steering Group	Activity cafés for older people, living on own, carers