Charity Ed Space has received a £50,000 grant from the Dormant Assets Fund to strengthen and expand its mental health peer-support services across the Isle of Man.

The 12-month capacity-building project will enable the organisation to recruit two full-time members of staff: a head coordinator and an operations and support officer.

Working alongside the charity’s volunteer team, the new staff members will coordinate its eight weekly peer-support groups in Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown and Peel.

Their responsibilities will also include overseeing administration and compliance, supporting volunteers, responding to referrals, developing partnerships and strengthening the charity’s long-term fundraising.

Established following the loss of Eddie Joyce, Ed Space has developed into an island-wide charity providing safe, welcoming and non-clinical spaces where adults can talk openly, reduce isolation and find support through shared experiences.

The charity’s weekly groups currently record approximately 150 attendances each month and are supported by around 70 active volunteers.

The additional staffing capacity is also expected to support Ed Space’s outreach and partnership work, including initiatives such as the Blue Light Breakfast Club.

Shirley Cain from Ed Space commented: ‘Ed Space has grown considerably, and our volunteers have been central to everything we have achieved.

‘These new roles will allow us to strengthen our existing weekly groups while developing our outreach, partnerships and volunteer support. Most importantly, they will help us continue providing welcoming spaces where people can talk openly and know they are not alone.’

The Dormant Assets Fund is administered by Manx Lottery Trust on behalf of the Isle of Man Government Treasury. It provides grants of up to £75,000 to community and not-for-profit organisations.

David Christian, chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, said: ‘This project will give the charity the dedicated capacity it needs to support its volunteers, strengthen its services and build a more sustainable organisation.’