Fife Council funding help for mental health in Benarty

Lea McLelland welcomed a redestribution of Fife Council cash which will continue the work of community education workers, including a drop-in service for the villages.

She said: "I can't tell you how happy I am that the mental health project is starting in Benarty as we've been blighted so much with young people, middle aged and older people who have been affected so much by mental health issues.

"Benarty was falling into a trap where the only option to get out was the route that some people were taking and it hasn't stopped and the last year or so has just proved to us how bad it is.

"The people falling into this trap are getting younger and younger so the fact it's starting in Benarty and it's a drop-in for all has made me emotionally happy.

"I genuinely think we're going to change how we deal with this and hopefully it can have a knock-on effect across Fife and Scotland and further afield and we can be the people that are saving people."

SNP councillor for Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty, Lea McLelland. (Image: Fife Council) READ MORE: Work underway on £70,000 extension to West Fife path for cyclists and walkers

The Cowdenbeath area committee agreed to re-direct money from the Community Recovery Fund for three projects.

In 2022 the council agreed a £10 million pot to help local communities to recover from the pandemic and cope with the cost of living crisis.

Each of the seven area committees was given a share with £1.3m to Cowdenbeath, and all but a few thousand pounds was allocated.

Community manager Anne Marie Vance said that some projects didn't go ahead and others didn't need all of the funding which meant there was £270,000 available to be redistributed.

The committee agreed that £95,000 would be made available for playground grants, with local schools able to apply for up to £5,000 to enhance their playground, and £90,000 would help extend the contracts of two welfare support assistants until March 2026.

Their outreach work is aimed at helping people on low income, or those who are in crisis, to make sure they're getting all their benefit entitlements and are supported with social inclusion.

And councillors agreed to allocate £85,000 to extend the contracts of three community education workers, also to the end of March 2026.

They've been involved in supporting families, community food and mental health projects. Councillors praised the work that had already been done by the welfare support assistants and community education workers and approved the funding allocations.

On the mental health project, Cllr McLelland added: "I spoke to Izzy (Scott-Trimm, community development team manager) on a personal level in regard to what is happening in Benarty and my own personal lived experience, and why I didn't want anyone else to go through it, and she's picked this up and ran with it.

"I do believe it's thanks to her that this intiative is going ahead in our area."