Community Health & Wellbeing Project
Empowering Communities, Embracing Diversity
Present
Often just referred to as Pachedu’s “Health and Wellbeing Project,” this initiative delivered a range of activities to improve mental health and social wellbeing among minority communities. With an emphasis on reducing isolation and promoting peer support, the project organised advocacy workshops, cooking sessions, gardening and outdoor activities, focus groups to co-develop a mental health toolkit, creation of a community wellbeing map, and social events tailored for both men and women. The holistic objective was to empower participants to look after their mental health, gain confidence, and build supportive networks in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Project Details
Target Beneficiaries
Ethnically diverse adults in Renfrewshire – including migrants, refugees, and long-term minority residents – who were at risk of social isolation or faced cultural barriers in accessing mental health support. Women and men were both included, with some activities targeting specific groups (e.g., women’s relaxation classes, men’s social groups).
Outcomes / Impact
Feedback from participants was very positive. Many reported feeling less lonely and more confident: “As people from the minority group, we always need opportunities to socialise… Please keep the ball rolling”, one participant shared. According to an evaluation, 79% of those involved said they felt less isolated, and 90% felt their emotional health improved after engaging with these wellbeing activities. The project successfully created safe spaces for minority individuals to discuss mental health (often a stigmatised topic) and equipped them with tools like the localised “wellbeing map” of services. It also strengthened Pachedu’s capacity – staff and community members even underwent “It’s Okay to Talk” facilitator training with See Me Scotland to sustain peer support workshops beyond the project.
Funding Sources
This project was funded by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (Scottish Government) in its first year allocation. Pachedu received £9,082 specifically for the health & wellbeing project. An additional £20,000 grant was awarded for related activities (notably the gardening project, see below). The fund was administered locally by Engage Renfrewshire in late 2021. These grants enabled staffing, sessional facilitators (including a qualified therapist for some sessions), venue costs (e.g., the Tannahill Centre in Paisley), and materials.
Collaborators / Partners
Pachedu partnered with See Me Scotland (for anti-stigma training) and likely the Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership for signposting resources. Workshops included input from mental health professionals of diverse backgrounds. Community venues like Ferguslie Park’s spaces were used, indicating cooperation with local community centres. Volunteers from the community also co-facilitated some sessions, building capacity for sustainability.