00:00

For many people in rural Scotland, access to mental health support is difficult. Geographic remoteness, lack of transportation and digital exclusion are just some of the hurdles faced by service users and Outreach Workers alike.    

Despite these challenges, Outreach Workers like Clare Gill in Highland and Laura Derby in Dumfries & Galloway are critical in providing person-centred support to individuals and communities often impacted by isolation and mental health struggles.  

Both Highland and Dumfries & Galloway are vast, rural regions where poor transport links create significant barriers to accessing essential services.  Many communities are located far from healthcare, social support and employment opportunities. Those we support often live far from essential services and reduced bus services have left some villages almost completely disconnected.  

“The vast and rural nature of Highland means that some communities are incredibly hard to reach. This requires us to spend significant time travelling, often to remote areas where access to healthcare, social services or community resources is limited,” said Clare, explaining the scope of the challenges.   

Laura described a similar issue in Dumfries & Galloway: 

“Some outlying smaller villages aren’t on the main transport routes. Because so few people use buses these days, these are the first services to be cut.

“A family I support had their bus route reduced, leaving them isolated for days at a time. The mother had to walk seven miles just to buy milk and her teenage daughter missed eight days of school in two months because the bus didn’t run.” 

With no public transport options, many people rely on Outreach Workers to help them access services or find alternative solutions. 

Digital exclusion adds another layer of difficulty, as poor internet connectivity prevents people from accessing online resources or staying connected to their communities.  

“Many individuals in Highland experience high levels of loneliness. We often find service users who live in less remote areas are also socially isolated due to past experiences or mental health struggles,” said Clare. 

Laura echoed this challenge in Dumfries & Galloway, where some people are unable to engage with online resources due to limited skills or lack of confidence. 

“Even when broadband is available, some people still struggle because they don’t know how to use digital tools – which stops them from accessing help.” The impact of outreach services is evident in the feedback from service users: “I’ve never had a service that’s actually listened to me before. You are the only service that has gone above and beyond for me,” shared one individual. Another who also faced money worries impacting their mental health said, “I am so grateful. If it wasn’t for outreach, I would never have known I was entitled to any of this. I’ll never have to worry about money again.”   

addressing practical needs  

Outreach often involves addressing immediate practical challenges that significantly impact mental health. From housing advocacy to securing disability benefits, Outreach Workers ensure service users receive the support they need.  

Clare shared the story of a young woman who was unable to leave her home due to unsuitable housing: “She had been trying to get relocated for a long time and felt no one was listening to her. I worked with her housing officer, appealed previous decisions and wrote letters to support her application. Recently, she was offered a new build flat and I could hear the positive change in her voice – she sounded so happy! She said, ‘Clare, you have gone above and beyond for me. No one has listened to me like you have.'”  

In Dumfries & Galloway, Laura highlighted how housing insecurity keeps people trapped in poor mental health: 

“Suitable housing is so difficult to achieve these days. Many people I support live with anti-social neighbours who keep them ‘on high alert’ or in unsuitable properties that make them feel unsafe. Without access to stable housing, rebuilding mental health becomes even harder.” 

Financial security is another major issue. Clare supported a service user in Highland through an Adult Disability Payment application that resulted in an award within less than 4 months. “She was always struggling to pay bills and had no quality of life. She told me, ‘It takes away the stress of money. I can treat myself – I’ve never been able to do that before!’”  

facilitating social connection in rural Scotland  

Combatting social isolation is a cornerstone of outreach support. Encouraging service users to engage with their communities can significantly improve their mental health and overall wellbeing.  

One service user, previously hesitant to engage socially, shared how outreach made a difference: “I would never have done anything like this if it wasn’t for outreach!”  

 In Dumfries & Galloway, Laura described working with a woman who had severe social anxiety and a history of trauma. 

“She had created a suicide safety plan with her CPN and found it difficult to communicate. Through trust-building, she started expressing herself through poetry. Over time, she allowed me to read her work and this gave her the confidence to discuss her experiences with a psychologist. Writing became a way for her to process emotions and she now hopes to share her poetry to help others.” 

Building confidence and supporting individuals to engage with their communities is key. One person supported by Clare was anxious about fainting in public due to a medical condition. They were supported to get portable oxygen, allowing them to leave the house to socialise more in the community. With time, their confidence grew and now they are even considering transitioning to a resource centre.  

Community engagement plays a crucial role in outreach support. However, Laura who worked in the community for the past 27 years, highlighted that not all community spaces feel safe for those with lived trauma.