Charity relaunches Gatehouse mental health support unit in Golspie
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A long-running mental health resource centre in Golspie has been relaunched following the coronavirus pandemic.
Change Mental Health, a registered charity, held an Open Day to showcase The Gatehouse which has been freshly decorated and will operate under a new model of service.
Change Mental Health, formerly known as Support in Mind Scotland and headquartered in Edinburgh, is contracted by NHS Highland to provide the service at the facility, located in the grounds of the Lawson Memorial Hospital.
The charity also runs centres in Alness and Fort William
Users of the service attended the Open Day on May 22 along with representatives of the charity’s partner organisations and and also from its other services.
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Lesley Collins, Highland resource centre and outreach manager at Change Mental Health, said the charity had worked closely with Gatehouse users and its partner organisations as well as the local community to ensure the right model of support was put in place to meet users' needs.
The Gatehouse offers people "support with their mental health in a non-stigmatising space that enables users to develop skills and increase confidence".
Users, who are referred by health professionals, are given opportunities to take part in a diverse range of one-to-one and social group activities, aimed at helping to build a positive structure in their lives and achieve their goals.
Open groups offer laid-back activities such as music, arts and crafts, gardening furniture restoration and outdoor wild craft.
Community engagement groups enable people to interact within the community with organised visits at local places of interest; and flexible wellbeing groups which are aimed at developing new skills and interests.
Ms Collins said: “Our new outreach and resource centre model in Highland has been very successful so far with other resource centres in Alness and FortWilliam. We’re really excited going forward with the new model and we will build a future where no one faces mental illness alone."
Service user Malcolm Douglas, a crofter who lives alone, has given a ringing endorsement to the revamped Gatehouse and the new model of service.
Mr Douglas attends The Gatehouse twice a week after being referred to the unit for sleep apnea.
He has embraced the person-centred support on offer and has been proactive in suggesting some new activities which have been introduced.
He said: “The staff are very welcoming and empathetic here. There is no expectation. It is flexible and for me very easy to use."
