DUNFERMLINE Heritage Partnership is aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of residents with a £368,000 project.

A three-year programme of activities would use the town's historic attractions, parks and greenspaces to lift the mood and assist those who have struggled through the pandemic.

The Partnership explained: "The project will use local heritage to improve wellbeing for people in Dunfermline and West Fife.

"It will build a sense of connectedness and belonging in neighbourhoods, supporting individual confidence and self-esteem, providing opportunities for people to be active and to give back to their communities."

At a meeting last week, the City of Dunfermline area committee agreed funding of £45,000 – £15,000 a year for three years – while the Heritage Lottery Fund has been asked for £245,000 and £15,000 is sought from the West Fife Common Good Fund.

Committee convener Councillor Helen Law said: "I'm really pleased to put forward the recommendation in the paper as I believe this will be an excellent project and Dunfermline Heritage Partnership has an excellent track record for their work they've done in Dunfermline.

"I have no doubt that if all the funding comes together we'll see some really good work and there will be a focus on the poorer communities."

Formed in 2015, the Partnership brings various groups and organisations together to use Dunfermline’s heritage to promote the town and aid economic regeneration, as well as deliver educational, social and environmental benefits.

It received £288,200 previously from the Heritage Lottery Fund Great Places Award in January 2018 for a three-year heritage project.

Under the new project, activities would be aimed at people with mental health and wellbeing issues and those referred by third sector organisations or their GP, as well as young and older people, school leavers and the unemployed.

Ideas include scavenger/treasure hunts for groups, virtual walks round Dunfermline Heritage Quarter, artist-led installations in Pittencrieff Park and Abbey Nave to promote mindfulness, exhibitions co-produced with third sector organisations and workshops using artworks for creative writing and drawing, artefact handing and talks.

There would be support for people with dementia, a heritage drop-in social club at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries offering behind-the-scenes access and support for volunteer-led walking groups in Dunfermline, Oakley and Valleyfield.

There are proposals for podcasts to help young people with their mental health, traditional building skills sessions for school leavers and the unemployed, and the promotion of digital guides and tools to local employers.

Making the most of the great outdoors and greenspaces, there would be regular activities involving habitat creation, developing orchards and herb gardens and artist-led drop-in sessions using locations such as the library and museum, the Glen, the Abbey, Palace and graveyard.

It also wants to recruit and train a group of volunteers to deliver public demonstrations of handloom weaving at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum and hold a health and wellbeing consultation to draw up an action plan for Pittencrieff Park.

A council report recommending that the funding should be approved said: "Dunfermline is very fortunate to have green spaces and heritage within the town centre.

"Building on the success of the partnership’s previous Great Places project, there is an opportunity to extend that success further and benefit residents and visitors of Dunfermline."