Gatehouse marks reopening
Change Mental Health’s resource centre in Golspie, The Gatehouse, celebrated its reopening with an Open Day to show its new model and fresh decoration.
Aimed at building self-confidence and recovery, The Gatehouse ensures people have access to the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them. Support is person-centered, non-clinical and totally flexible to an individual’s needs, helping develop a positive structure to their life in a non-stigmatising space that enables one to develop skills and increase confidence.
The Gatehouse is situated next to the Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie and helps people get support with their mental health in a safe and welcoming environment. There are opportunities to take part in a diverse range of one-to-one and social group activities, enabling people to achieve their goals and build a positive structure in their life.
The event saw people supported by Change Mental Health at The Gatehouse attend, along with local partners, referrers and commissioners, and people from some of the charity’s other services in Highland to view the transformation that will enable more people to be supported in the local and surrounding communities.
Lesley Collins, Highland Resource Centre and Outreach Manager at Change Mental Health said:
“Our new outreach and resource centre model in Highland has been very successful so far, with other resource centres in Alness and Fort William while reaching and supporting people in the remotest areas of the region with our outreach work.
“We’ve been working closely with the local community to ensure people get the right support they need while feeding into the process of things they want to do to improve their mental health. We’ve been proactively engaging with partners, working those relationships and ready to welcome more people to The Gatehouse.”
“We’re really excited going forward with this new model and we will build a future where no one faces mental illness alone.”
Lesley Collins, Highland Resource Centre and Outreach Manager
There are structured groups to increase knowledge and learning about practical tools for personal development; open groups that include laidback activities such as music, arts and crafts, gardening, furniture restoration and outdoor wildcraft; community engagement groups that 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.
Malcolm Douglas goes to The Gatehouse twice a week after being referred to the resource centre for his sleep apnea. Being a crofter who lives alone, Malcolm takes part in activities such as structured groups, gardening and furniture restoration. He has embraced the person-centered support and has been proactive in suggesting some of the new activities that happen within The Gatehouse.
“The staff are very welcoming and empathetic here. They’re great – better than great – because there’s no expectation. It’s flexible and for me, it’s easy.”
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