Mental health / peer support · Leith

What “done” looks like

A partner organisation is on board, ground rules and crisis routes are written, facilitators know the limits of peer support, and no one is running unregulated group therapy from a living room branded as treatment.

Effort: 10–25 hours over 2–4 months before any public group

Why this matters here

Leith · this ward only

Health and isolation patterns in Leith may show need (CSS People). Need is not permission to practise therapy. Partner with SAMH/local projects/NHS-linked services.

Before you start

This is peer support, not clinical treatment.
Partner organisation required.
Crisis route: emergency services / NHS 24.
If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services.
If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
This toolkit does not replace professional care.

Letter for this ward

Prefills this ward. Fill the square brackets, then send. Councillor inboxes are not held — use WriteToThem.

Send to

Mental health / peer support partners in Leith

Subject: Mental health / peer support partners in Leith

Dear Councillors,

I am a resident of Leith ward (City of Edinburgh).

I am not asking the council to run therapy. I want the names of partner organisations that already offer safe peer support here.

Held public figures for this ward (Community Shield Scotland — official sources only):
• Police recorded 3,008 crimes in this ward in 2024–25 (301 more than 2023–24). Source: Police Scotland multi-member ward figures — management information, not official statistics.
• Children in low income: 12.3% — 371 children · before housing costs · FYE 2025. Source: DWP CiLIF.
• 15.9% of people here live in Scotland’s most deprived fifth of areas. Source: SIMD 2020v2, rolled from data zones to this ward.
• In the 2022 local election, Scottish National Party led on first preferences (32.6% of first preferences).
• Community assets held for this ward: 44 (4 schools · 5 GP · 6 pharmacy).

What I am asking:
1. Name the partners that cover this area
2. How a resident should make contact
3. A written reply within 14 days

These counts describe the ward. They do not say who committed a crime or who is to blame. I am not asking you to treat residents as offenders.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Street or area in this ward]
[Date]

Open blank email

Paste into WriteToThem — we do not hold personal inboxes.

Path from idea to done

Seven fixed phases — skip only when the guide says so

Map local mental health supports
NHS, SAMH, community projects, helplines.
~45 minSAMH
Join or volunteer first if possible
Learn safe practice.
~30 min

Funding (if needed)

No-money first · local · national

No-money path

Signposting is free. Groups need partner infrastructure; money without safety is harmful.

Local routes

City of Edinburgh — Community Grants Fund
small
Official council funding hub. Programmes open and close — check the live page for eligibility and deadlines.
Official page
Foundation Scotland — funds near you
small
Many local and thematic funds are searchable by postcode or council area. Check live eligibility and deadlines.
Official page
National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland)
larger
Scotland programmes from micro to larger community grants. Always use the current official programme list.
Official page
Council in-kind support
micro
Bags and collection for clean-ups, room hire, inspections, or land permission. Often more useful than a small grant. Ask the service team in writing.
Search your council website — check the live page
Community council grants / endorsement
micro
Some community councils hold small pots or can endorse applications. Find yours on this ward’s Your representatives page and ask at a public meeting.
Search your council website — check the live page

National routes (Scotland)

SAMH / mental health partners
small
Guidance for safe peer support — not clinical care.
Official page
SCVO / Volunteer Scotland
micro
Organising and volunteering infrastructure.
Official page
Small community grants (Lottery-style)
micro
Micro and small grants for local groups. Check live Lottery Scotland pages.
Official page

Amounts and deadlines change. Always use the official page. We never invent figures.

Downloads

Pre-filled with Leith and Edinburgh where useful

Full guide (idea → done)
00-peer-support-guide.txt
Evidence checklist
01-peer-support-evidence-checklist.txt
Peer support ground rules
02-peer-support-ground-rules.txt
Partner contact notes
02-partner-contact-notes.txt
Funding tracker
06-peer-support-funding-tracker.csv
Handover sheet
08-peer-support-handover.txt

Official links

Deeper information

If you’re stuck · common mistakes

Stuck paths

No partner: keep signposting NHS inform / SAMH / emergency routes only.
Someone in crisis in session: follow partner protocol and emergency services — you are not their therapist.

Common mistakes

Calling it therapy without qualifications.
No crisis plan.
Confidentiality promised as absolute when harm risk exists.

All actions Your representatives