BORDERS mental health groups and projects are set to benefit from a new grant scheme thanks to a local organisation.

Tiny Changes, a mental health charity, has launched the pilot of their Make Tiny Changes Fund in the Borders, offering groups and projects centred around mental health the chance to access grants.

Tiny Changes was created in 2019 by Marion, Neil and Grant Hutchison, the mother and brothers of Scott Hutchison, the lead singer of the band Frightened Rabbit, after he sadly passed away after battling with his mental health.

"We've wanted to do this for a while now," explained Tiny Changes trustees, Neil and Marion Hutchison, "but like the rest of the world, we've had to put our plans on ice for a few months."

Groups and projects in the Borders can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to be used to improve the conversations around mental health, and offer services to those in need.

The charity hopes to eventually launch the Make Tiny Changes Fund across Scotland.

"We are so excited to launch the first Make Tiny Changes Fund small grant programme," the trustees added.

"We've wanted to do this for a while now, but like the rest of the world, we've had to put our plans on ice for a few months.

"The whole ethos of the charity is to make lots of small impacts, which add up to a big change in how children and young people in Scotland cope.

"We've decided to focus our first programme on a specific area of the country and our home county of the Scottish Borders seemed like a good place to start.

"We can't wait to hear from the young people of the Borders and the mental health community with their thoughts and ideas of how we can help."

Applications for the grant close on August 20, and should be submitted with a brief proposal, with successful applicants being selected to make a full application to the scheme at a later stage.

For more information on Tiny Changes and the Make Tiny Changes Fund, visit: tinychanges.com/