Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been handed out to community groups across the Stewartry to help those feeling isolated.
The cash has come from the Scottish Government’s communities, mental health and wellbeing fund, which has been administered by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.
One of the groups to benefit is Castle Douglas IT Centre, which received just over £27,000 for the Create IT project it is running with Glenkens Community Arts Trust (GCAT) as part of their Connecting Communities programme.
People taking part will use iPads to create digital art at either the IT Centre or Balmaclellan Smiddy.
IT Centre manager, Jackie Williams, said: “It’s for two years so we should be able to reach out to quite a few different people.
“We are running a pilot at the moment.
“We’re hoping to get small groups of people together who have maybe been isolating at home, feeling a bit isolated and want to come out to try something new.
“This is the second week of the pilot project and we have quite a number who have enjoyed it. “
Also benefitting was Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING), which received nearly £40,000 for the people, places and outdoor spaces project and a further £700 for a men’s Monday morning coffee morning.
LING chairman Ros Hill said: “We are hoping to employ someone who can go out to people who are maybe isolated or reluctant to come out to encourage them to come along to the town hall.
“We have lots of activities, including lunches, and we also have the use of the walled garden at the Garroch Estate where people can just go and sit or go for a
walk.”
There was also £29,960 for Shambellie House Trust’s Breathing Space programme, £9,288 for Creetown Initiative’s Ferry Friends programme, £5,975 for Community Wellbeing in the Glenkens, run by Dalry Community Council and £4,017 for Balmaclellan Community Trust’s Balmaclellan Blether.
And Threave Rovers Football Club in Castle Douglas received £6,600 for their Head Clear initiative.
Chairman, David McVitie, said: “The funding will allow the club to provide mental health workshops aimed at the local community and the surrounding area.
“They will provide support to individuals struggling with mental health issues and provide guidance on where and how to get support.”
A number of region-wide programmes were awarded cash, with The Food Train receiving £80,000, Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association £53,668 and DG Voice £63,865.
