Mental Health Support Grant Fund for People Aged 65+ in Sefton

Grant funding, of up to £5,000 was made available from Sefton Council for the delivery of activities which promote positive wellbeing for people over the age of 65 in Sefton.

The focus of the grant funding was on:

– Activities or programmes for Senior Residents aged 65 years+ that promote positive wellbeing.
– Senior Residents aged 65 years+ who may experience loneliness, isolation, anxiety and depression.

Applicants could apply for either:

– Micro/Small Grants between £500 and £2,499, OR
– Basic Grants between £2,500 and £5,000

Below you can find out more information on the organisations and activities funded through this grant.

Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton

Mindful Melodies
Amount Funded: £4,660

This project supports isolated older adults in Sefton through mindfulness, singing, and movement sessions. In partnership with A Quiet Place and Holistic Harmonies, the programme promotes connection, self-expression, and wellbeing. The goal is to create a nurturing environment where participants can connect, express themselves, and improve their physical and mental health.

Ainsdale Lunch & Leisure

Mindful Creations
Amount Funded: £2,490

This project offers bi-weekly creative sessions for adults 65+ in Ainsdale, featuring neurotrophic art, doodling, reverse stencilling, clay work, and upcycling. Activities encourage mindfulness, relaxation, focus, and self-expression while reducing stress. Sessions include a healthy lunch to promote social connection and reduce loneliness. The programme is accessible to all, regardless of artistic experience. Overall, it fosters resilience, positive mental health, and improved quality of life.

Brunswick Youth and Community Centre

Kick Start to Wellbeing
Amount Funded: £4,960

The new Kick Start to Wellbeing programme will offer taster sessions in yoga, chair exercise, and walking to reach more older people and improve their health and wellbeing. These sessions aim to engage more older people in Bootle and promote healthier lifestyles. The project will also explore community needs to improve wellbeing outcomes further and build on the centre’s vital role in reducing isolation.

Community By Nature

Heart of our Community
Amount Funded: £5,000

This project supports residents aged 65+ with activities designed to reduce loneliness, isolation, and poverty of experience. Weekly 5-hour sessions will run for six months at an accessible community centre. Activities include bingo, afternoon tea, history talks, healthy cooking, gardening, exercise, and pamper sessions. Monthly trips will take participants to cultural venues, heritage sites, and natural spaces. Bi-monthly intergenerational events will bring together older and younger people for shared activities.

Kindfulness Coffee Club

Never too Old for FUN 65 or over – We’re Here to Keep you Happy & Healthy
Amount Funded: £4,109

This programme supports people aged 65+ who are lonely, isolated, or experiencing anxiety and depression. Sessions aim to build social connections and reduce loneliness through shared experiences and encourages those reluctant to leave home to engage in enriching community activities. Activities will promote better mental health, lifting mood and easing anxiety. Gentle physical exercise will improve mobility, strength, and overall wellbeing. The project also fosters lasting community engagement and participation with the charity.

Lock & Quay Community Pub

Older Active Performers Club
Amount Funded: £2,400

This project provides regular sessions led by experienced volunteers teaching ukulele, guitar, and percussion in a friendly atmosphere for people aged 65+. The project also plans to provide tablets and music songbooks to make sessions accessible and encourage digital skills. These social events help build friendships and support networks, enhancing resilience both individually and as a community and helping to improves mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Netherton Feelgood Factory

Feelgood Choices
Amount Funded: £4,890

Feelgood Choices is a community-based programme reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing for people aged 65+. The programme includes Tea and Talk, art and crafts, music, creative writing, history, and a book club, all of which are mostly volunteer-led. It aims to support those in poor health or living in poverty, where isolation affects both mental and physical health. Linked with local services, the project builds social connection, resilience, and improved health outcomes. The programme also features Knitting for Good, where members create goods to help others.

Netherton Park Community Association

Stay Active and Be Social (SABS)
Amount Funded: £4,500

SABS supports 30 vulnerable older people to improve self-care and overall wellbeing. It aims to tackle isolation, depression, loneliness, and anxiety through centre-based and home support. Activities include gentle exercise, cooking, social meet-ups, book and TV clubs, and monthly trips. A call companion scheme and home visits ensure inclusion for those unable to attend in person. The programme builds social connections, resilience, and healthier routines for older adults.

Parenting 2000

Mental Health & Wellbeing for Seniors
Amount Funded: £5,000

The programme delivers three 6-week support groups for people aged 65+ at Alchemy Hall. Sessions aim to reduce social isolation while offering mutual peer support in a safe, structured setting. Two BACP therapists use a psycho-educational approach to help participants understand emotions. Weekly themes follow the five ways of wellbeing, ending with a celebration and resource showcase. Keep in Touch sessions will be held after each cohort to ensure sustain engagement and support. Partnerships with local organisations provide guidance on education, leisure, and welfare resources.

Sean’s Place

Wellbeing Workshops
Amount Funded: £4,608

This programme delivers tailored programmes for men aged 65+ to reduce anxiety, depression, and isolation. It aims to foster meaningful connections while enhancing mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. The Wellbeing Workshops include;

Creativity classes such as painting, writing, and poetry support self-expression and mental health.
Cookery classes help participants plan and prepare healthy meals, especially for those living alone.
Fitness sessions improve mobility, support weight management, and promote overall health.

Together, these person-centred programmes provide choice and holistic support for older men.

Sewing Connection CIC

Crafting Socials
Amount Funded: £2,488

This project will deliver 24 weekly crafting social sessions for people aged 65+ to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. The sessions take place in a fully equipped studio in Netherton, led by experienced tutors and supported by volunteers. The activities use therapeutic crafting to promote both mental and physical wellbeing and will also encourage skill development, confidence, and a sense of achievement.

SWAN Women’s Centre

Empowering Transitions: A CWTP Group Project to Support the Mental Health of Women 65+ Post-Retirement
Amount Funded: £3,200

This project will support women aged 65+ who may experience loneliness, isolation, anxiety, or depression after retirement. It uses Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP) and art therapy to enhance wellbeing and self-expression.

– Phase 1 begins with a 2-hour introductory workshop on journaling and CWTP, with guided exercises and discussions.
– Phase 2 offers a six-week programme of weekly workshops covering life storytelling, poetry, self-discovery, and new beginnings.
– Phase 3 delivers four themed drop-in sessions focused on gratitude, mindfulness, resilience, and volunteering.

Woodvale & Ainsdale Community Centre

Tea Cakes and Tunes
Amount Funded: £2,766

“Tea Cakes and Tunes” is a weekly music programme for older adults aged 65+ at the community centre. Through live music sessions featuring a harpist, local singer, and the primary school choir, participants will enjoy diverse performances and engage with others in a supportive, informal setting over coffee and cake. The project is free and accessible, encouraging inclusivity and participation. Its aim is to reduce loneliness, isolation, and anxiety by combining music with social connection.