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Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
The Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults opened for applications on Tuesday 1st September.  The overarching aim of the Fund is to support grassroots, community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and/or mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population (aged 16 or over). If your organisation is interested in applying, we highly recommend attending one of our online awareness sessions which take place on a Friday and offer guidance prior to applying. Find the session dates here

Programme for Government 2026 to 2031
This five year Programme for Government outlines what Scottish ministers want to achieve before the next Scottish Parliament election in 2031 and will be supported by an update each spring aligned to the Scottish Budget. The year 1 programme looks to introduce nine bills including the Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill, Council Tax (Scotland) Bill, Food Prices (Scotland) Bill and the Public Service Renewal (Scotland) Bill. The full programme can be seen here: https://www.gov.scot/programme-for-government/

Robert Burns Humanitarian Award
Nominations have opened for an international award honouring people whose work has transformed the lives of others. The 2027 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award (RBHA) is seeking individuals and groups who have shown outstanding compassion, courage and commitment to humanitarian causes, human rights and social justice. Created in honour of Scotland’s national poet, the award is supported by South Ayrshire Council’s Destination South Ayrshire service and is open to nominees from anywhere in the world. The winner will receive 1,759 guineas – around £1,800 – reflecting the year of Robert Burns’ birth and the currency used during his lifetime. Nominations can be made here up to Friday 25^th September.

Climate Week Exhibition
As part of Scotland’s Climate Week, NHS Golden Jubilee have arranged an exhibition of organisations supporting sustainability. Their main exhibition day takes place on Wed 30 Sept, 10am to 2pm, in the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel Plaza. Meet local organisations and experts, take part in interactive games and activities, enjoy giveaways, and learn more about waste, energy, biodiversity, sustainable travel and more. Whether you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact, save money, or simply learn something new, there’s something for everyone. Go along, get involved, and discover how small changes can make a big difference.

Survivors are being failed
Thousands of women and girls who have experienced rape or sexual violence face long waits for specialist support, according to a new report. The ‘No time for delay: A call for urgent action for survivors of rape and sexual violence’ analysis by the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance (SRCA) warns that its modelling shows that after 2028, thousands could be left without the help they need if current demand continues and funding remains unchanged. The charity says the fact that rape survivors already must wait months for support is a “badge of shame”. New analysis by the SRCA shows that based on current increases in rape and sexual violence, from April 2028 at least 683 women and girls could be waiting for emotional and therapeutic support, while up to 1,410 could be waiting for specialist advocacy support. Read the report here 

Cybersecurity gaps expose UK charities
Many of the UK’s largest charities have gaps in their cybersecurity controls that could make them easier targets for attackers, new research has warned. Consultancy Huro Data externally scanned 380 of the UK’s biggest and best-known charities and said most organisations should improve their cyber defences, warning that “they carry a collection of smaller gaps that together make an attacker’s job easier than it needs to be”. The research found staff and supplier passwords were already circulating for 44% of the best-known charities and 55% of the largest by income. It also found emails could be sent in a charity’s name at around one in three organisations examined, with forged appeals and payment requests that appear to come from a recognised charity described as “one of the most effective frauds available”. Find courses from Digital Skills Education