Community Solutions Programme
The Community Solutions programme is an exciting partnership between Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (UHSCNL). It aims to improve residents’ health, wellbeing, and equality by:
Strategically investing in community and voluntary sector (CVS) organisations to enhance the support and services they provide
Offering capacity-building support to make CVS organisations more effective
Developing and supporting volunteering opportunities
VANL hosts and manages the programme on behalf of UHSCNL, working closely with statutory partners and the CVS to deliver these goals.
More information about the Community Solutions Programme can be found here.
Additional Resources & Funding Information
Please select a drop-down option below to find out details on Community Solutions funds and funding application documents.
Open Funds:
Each locality host has responsibility for managing and administering the fund which provides small grants to community groups and voluntary organisations to deliver a new or improved activity to improve local wellbeing.
Local Activity Fund (LAF)
Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is delighted to announce that Phase Four of this fund will be open for applications from the 1st September 2025 and will be the first year the fund welcomes two year applications. VANL has received £955K of funding from the Scottish Government to support community and voluntary sector groups to contribute to the fund’s purpose of:
- improving mental health and wellbeing
- reducing mental health inequalities
- reducing mental health inequalities caused by the cost-of-living crisis
- reducing the stigma around mental health and illness
by supporting “at risk” groups in North Lanarkshire through community-based support.
Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Phase 5
Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is delighted to announce the newly remodelled Community Solutions Thematic Fund will be open for applications from the 5th February 2025. From the recurring funding received from University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire (UHSC-NL), VANL has £316,000 of funding available for Community & Voluntary Sector (CVS) organisations to apply for.
The intention of the new funding model is to ensure the funding is more dynamic and responsive to changing themes and priorities on an annual basis, including the priorities of the Community Solutions Strategy and Investment Plan, UHSCP-NL Strategic Commissioning Plan and Programme of Work, and public health priorities. The funding is split into three strands: Innovation, Volunteering and North Lanarkshire Wide Projects.
The available funding will be separated into three strands however Innovation and Volunteering are currently closed and will reopen in 2026 leaving in this current cycle:
- NL-Wide Applications (Round 2): This strand will aim to fund organisations delivering projects across three or more NL localities. This could include for example projects that are condition specific or projects focussed on communities of interest or identity rather than geography. This will be split over two calls for applications, with each call having £31,000 to distribute. The first call was in line with the launch of the fund (February) and the second application window is open from 30th September and closing 24th October 2025. Applications should be made in the range of £5,000 to £15,000. Funding for projects being delivered for two or less can still be applied for through LAF.
Community Solutions Thematic Fund
Funds Currently in Delivery Period:
The Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, an important Scotland-wide funding initiative for community and voluntary sector (CVS) organisations, funded by the Scottish Government and with fund management through the 32 Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) across Scotland on behalf of the government.
Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Phase 4
Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is delighted to announce the newly remodelled Community Solutions Thematic Fund will be open for applications from the 5th February 2025.
The intention of the new funding model is to ensure the funding is more dynamic and responsive to changing themes and priorities on an annual basis, including the priorities of the Community Solutions Strategy and Investment Plan, UHSCP-NL Strategic Commissioning Plan and Programme of Work, and public health priorities.
Community Solutions Thematic Fund
Phase 6 of the Children, Young People & Families Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund is now in its delivery window. This fund supports organisations who work within school clusters in North Lanarkshire to support the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and families.
Children, Young People & Families Phase 6
Each locality host has responsibility for managing and administering a fund of £30,000 per year which provides small grants to community groups and voluntary organisations to deliver a new or improved activity to improve local wellbeing.
Local Activity Fund (LAF)
For further funding-related enquiries please contact Gordon.Watson@VANL.co.uk
Additional Resources:
Please select a drop-down option below to find out details on additional Community Solutions resources.
Community Solutions are piloting the use of Care Opinion for the Community and Voluntary Sector, as The Health and Social Care Partnership have taken out an extended subscription to cover all health and social care services.
Care Opinion is the UK’s independent non-profit feedback platform for health and social care. On Care Opinion, you can anonymously share your honest experience of a health care or social care service within the last 3 years. Your feedback is directed to the people responsible for delivering the service, and they will respond in 7 days to discuss your story to inspire change.
All stories are reviewed by the Care Opinion team before they are shared to ensure that people are kept anonymous, and that the story can be targeted effectively.
To find out more, visit the Care Opinion website.
ALISS is a national digital programme enabling people and professionals to find and share information on health and wellbeing resources, services, groups, and support in their local communities and online.
ALISS can help you find information about resources like:
- services that provide support for managing long term conditions
- groups that support social and community connection (e.g., local choirs, book groups, befriending)
- activities that offer opportunities for getting more active and for getting outdoors (e.g., badminton clubs, community gardens)
- practical, legal, and financial support (e.g., money advice, advocacy services)
- digital technology that can support health and social care (e.g., online forums, health related mobile apps).
Read more here.