SMITH WELCOMES £209,847 FUNDING FOR FIFE SURVIVORS AND USERS FORUM TODAY

3.01.52pm GMT Tue 22nd Jan 2008

North East Fife MSP, Iain Smith, has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the Fife Survivors and Users Forum TODAY on its successful bid to gain a £209,847 Life Transitions grant from the Big Lottery's Investing in Communities Fund.

Fife Survivors and Users Forum TODAY will use the money to support a five year project to provide educational advocacy support for people with mental health problems in North East and Central Fife. 105 people and 15 organisations will benefit from the support and assistance provided by advocates, who will link individuals to the educational or vocational course of their choice and will work with them to overcome the barriers preventing them from accessing and sustaining education and achieving results. Self confidence and self esteem will be improved and isolation reduced through the formation of social support networks and encouragement towards greater independence and self reliance.

Mr Smith said:

"I am thrilled to be able to table this motion of congratulations to Fife Survivors and Users Forum TODAY. The group's past work has been of enormous value.

"People with mental health problems can often become caught in a vicious circle of isolation and dependence. This project benefits not just those with mental health problems but the whole community by supporting individuals towards educational success, social inclusion and independence."