Foundation Scotland has distributed grants totalling £85,000 to social prescribing projects across the country.

The projects aim is to promote social prescribing, where charities and GPs support health and wellbeing initiatives in local areas.

This is seen as particular important post Covid pandemic, as communities recover and tackle mental health challenges and loneliness.

The PHP Community Impact Fund has been created by Primary Health Properties and managed by Foundation Scotland.

Charities to benefit include Parent to Parent, which supports families in Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross. It will use its £7,800 grant to support parents to better manage stress through cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.

The funding “will enable us to strengthen our community support network as we work in partnership with GP practices and local community venues,” said Parent to Parent head of service Trudy Doidge.

Meanwhile, Glasgow’s Golden Generation will use its £5,000 grant to recruit a ‘dementia champion’, to support 125 older people at a community centre people through entertainment and activities.

“As we finally welcome older people back to the centre we offer an opportunity to build friendships and help them to feel part of a community once again,” said ‘dementia champion’ Lynsey Neilson.

Foundation Scotland fund adviser Jennifer McPhail added: “The Community Impact Fund launched at a critical time following the height of the pandemic.

“As our NHS continues to be under immense pressure, this is a fantastic initiative from PHP to help improve patient wellbeing outcomes, quality of life and emotional wellbeing.”

Last September the National Academy for Social Prescribing predicted an increase in social prescribing initiatives and funding within the NHS post Covid-19 pandemic.

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