Dumfries resource centre moves to high street

Our Dumfries resource centre has moved to Queensberry Street in the heart of the town centre, after spending 25 years based at Mountainhall.
Change Mental Health has been active in the Dumfries community for nearly 40 years, offering resource centres as a way in which people can access high-quality mental health support on the high street. The move to Queensberry Street marks the next step in ensuring that Change Mental Health meets its mission of people having access to the support they need and in a way which works best for them.
The opening of the service was marked with a ribbon-cutting celebration at Queensberry Street, with speeches from Nick Ward (CEO at Change Mental Health), Emma Scott (Head of Dumfries and Galloway Services at Change Mental Health) and Colin Smyth MSP.
It gave an opportunity to the local community to learn more about the mental health support they charity delivers in the area, with a chance to explore the new and inviting space pulled together by local and national Change Mental Health staff.
“This relocation is significant in offering more accessible mental health support on the high street.
“Our teams have worked hard to create a safe, supportive and welcoming space, and it will continue to help people to improve their social connections and confidence, while reducing social isolation and loneliness.
“Being immersed in the community will mean that more people have access to nearby services and activities within the community and ensure that no one faces mental illness alone.”
Emma Scott, Head of Dumfries and Galloway Services at Change Mental Health
Change Mental Health’s resource centres across Dumfries and Galloway – based in Dumfries, Annan, Castle Douglas and Stranraer – offer a safe, supportive and welcoming environment aimed at building self-confidence and recovery. Support is flexible to the person’s needs and helps develop a positive structure that can increase skills and confidence. They can also improve social connections, while reducing social isolation and loneliness.
As well as having resource centres, Change Mental Health runs an Employability Support Project just five doors up from the new centre on Queensberry Street. Within the resource centre, there is also Carer Support and the charity delivers outreach support to people in wider communities, particularly those in rural areas.