GROUPS across East Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a new funding pot.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund was recently launched by the Scottish Government to support adults in towns and villages across the country.

And £230,000 has been allocated to East Renfrewshire, which will be distributed through Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire SCIO (VAER), based in Barrhead’s Kelburn Street.

The fund aims to support and encourage initiatives that promote and benefit the mental health and wellbeing of people in the community at a small scale, grassroots, community level.

Ruth Gallagher, chief officer of Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire, told the Barrhead News: “To ensure this funding gets to the heart of our communities, we have tried to make the application process as simple and accessible as possible.

“We hope a simple online form available through our website, coupled with online or face-to-face help from our team, will encourage community groups and organisations, no matter how small, to apply.”

The fund is now open and groups who are interested in applying should contact VAER for information on the application process and how to access the guidance information.

The charity will also offer support sessions to any groups and organisations looking for help to apply.

For more information, call 0141 876 9555 or email funding@va-er.org.uk.