Unveiling the 50th Take Some Breathing Space bench
We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year and partnered with NHS 24 Breathing Space to coincide launching their 50th bench in Scotland.
The 50th Take Some Breathing Space bench was unveiled The Gatehouse service in Golspie on Friday 21st October. The bench raises awareness of mental health and wellbeing in the local community and provides a space to sit and take some breathing space with a bit of time out for oneself or listening and talking to others.
Maree Todd MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, also Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, attended the event to help cut the ribbon alongside Change Mental Health and NHS 24 Breathing Space colleagues. Other important guests arrived from Samaritans, Public Health Scotland and the local Lawson Memorial Hospital.
Change Mental Health’s service in Golspie, The Gatehouse, in Highlands is a safe and comfortable resource centre for people who are affected by mental ill health to access support through one-to-one and group support. The service offers a diverse timetable of activities to promote activities with peer support and wellbeing sessions to help build self-esteem and confidence. The Gatehouse also operates as a hub for staff to deliver outreach support to those in East Sutherland.
Jim Hume, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Change Mental Health, said:
“Change Mental Health have been supporting people with poor mental health for 50 years and we are delighted to partner with NHS 24 to mark this occasion with their 50th Take Some Breathing Space’s 50th bench here in the Highlands.
“Change Mental Health is dedicated to supporting people with their mental health across Scotland and this bench helps promote mental health awareness in the community to ensure that no one has to face mental ill health alone.”
Jim Hume, Change Mental Health
The national Breathing Space service from NHS 24 works to address the stigma around wellbeing and mental health, while offering support to those who need it. With a free helpline, the details of which are displayed on each Breathing Space bench, those who need support can call the number and speak to advisors about a wide range of issues such as loneliness, relationship issues, anxiety, or mental health difficulties. For the bench initiative Breathing Space work with groups and organisations who are committed to supporting mental health and wellbeing in their teams and communities.
Lisa-Jane Dock, National Development Officer at NHS 24 Breathing Space, said:
“We are honoured to be to be sharing this occasion with Change Mental Health to mark the ways our organisations can support local people together. People using our benches have told us that taking time for a sit and a chat, or even just sitting alone to take in the surroundings, helps them to stay in touch with others and with their own wellbeing.
“We also know that the benches are a visible sign of a safe space where wellbeing is everyone’s business. If anyone needs a chat beyond the bench our advisors are available to listen on the phone or webchat and we’d love to hear from you.”
About Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone service available to anyone across Scotland aged 16 and over. Advisors can listen, offer advice, and signpost callers onto help in their local area. The helpline (0800 83 85 87) is open Weekdays: Monday – Thursday, 6pm to 2am, and Weekends: Friday 6pm – Monday 6am. All calls are confidential. Visit their website here.
The Breathing Space Bench Initiative is about welcoming spaces, encouraging people to:
• sit and take some breathing space
• share a bit of time for listening and talking
• reach out and show kindness and compassion.
The project is about more than the physical benches. We work with groups and organisations who are committed to supporting mental health and wellbeing in their teams and communities. Our benches are installed in train stations, universities, colleges and a variety of other public locations across Scotland.
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