New resource centre opens in Invergordon
Our new Ross-shire resource centre in Invergordon has officially opened, following its move from Alness, which will see a continuation of offering mental health support on the high street.
Change Mental Health has been active in the Ross-shire community for over 25 years supporting people affected by mental illness. Now, we’ve relocated to Murray House in Invergordon.
An open day was hosted on Tuesday 2nd April for the local Invergordon community to learn more about the mental health support delivered by Change Mental Health. The event was attended by people who access support from the charity, our staff, local partners and passers-by.
The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty cut the ribbon to officially open the service with our CEO, Nick Ward, who both delivered speeches alongside our Highland Outreach and Resource Centre Manager, Lesley Collins.
Nick Ward, CEO at Change Mental Health, said:
“We have built really powerful and meaningful relationships with local services, partners and the community and it is only through that network of support that we can offer the support that we do.
“Opening a new place is not an easy thing to do but our staff have taken to it with absolute aplomb – they have come at it and made the best place it can possibly be for the people of this town and the community. Because that’s what they deserve. That’s the attitude for all the services we have.
“We want to make sure the services we have are the best they can be, because people across Highland deserve the best possible support. It’s organisations like Change Mental Health that are committed to being in our communities to support people in the coming decades.”
The new resource centre in Invergordon continues the support that was delivered in Alness, improving the mental health and wellbeing of the community through group work and promoting community engagement. The team also deliver outreach and Carer Support across Ross-shire to reach the most remote and rural people in the region.
Angus Watson, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, said:
“Change Mental Health continuing to develop additional support centres across Highland in the community and for the community, just like this one in Invergordon, is absolutely essential to so many people and families.
“Whether in rural locations or in the centre of our towns, the exceptional staff and volunteers working from these centres understand the local challenges, appreciate the importance of being patient and supporting each person at the speed that they require – shaping advice and solutions that is best for each person as an individual.”
Resource centres are aimed at building self-confidence and recovery – ensuring that people have access to the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them. Support is flexible to the person’s needs and helps develop a positive structure with space to develop and increase skills and confidence.
Structured groups increase knowledge and learning about practical tools for personal development and everyday life. There are open activity groups with laidback activities such as arts and crafts or creative writing; community engagement groups with organised visits to local places of interest; and peer support and wellbeing groups.
Our Highland resource centres are based in Invergordon, Golspie and Fort William.
Lesley Collins, Highland Outreach and Resource Manager at Change Mental Health, said at the opening:
“It is great to see so many familiar and new faces to this wonderful occasion of opening our new resource centre here in Invergordon. That includes those from the Ross-shire community, the partners we work with, our staff and especially the Deputy Lord Lieutenant.
“We have spent a quarter of a century in Ross-shire and this new chapter is no different. We will still provide high quality person-centred and non-clinical care and support for people affected by mental illness in the community.”
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