New manager at Helensburgh's mental health hub

Katrina Sayer was appointed to her new role at Jean’s Bothy recently after spending 11 years working with the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI).

The new facility opened its doors in October to provide support for people seeking to improve their mental health.

The centre is a partnership between the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership (HSCP), Enable Scotland, the Ministry of Defence, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Helensburgh Community Council and the TSI.

Katrina’s new full-time post has been funded by a grant from the National Lottery’s Communities Fund.

Katrina said: “The centre brings together services for people who have mental health challenges and can be beneficial to a wide range of people.

“A simple membership application process is in place which allows individuals to highlight the areas in their life they want to improve and allows them to see the progress they are making while being a member of the hub.

“Volunteering has many benefits to overall health and wellbeing. It can help to lift low mood, help people to make new friends and has favourable effects on life satisfaction and I hope to build the impact volunteers can make through the opportunities available through Jean’s Bothy and beyond.

“The aim of the centre is to supplement existing community support that is already being provided at local level, connect groups with each other and with other sources of support that exist locally in order to meet the needs of the Helensburgh and Lomond communities.”

The project has already developed a wide range of activities, groups and services such as peer support, music, fitness, allotments, woodwork, creative writing and tai chi.

It also offers a cafe which provides soup and sandwiches between 12 noon and 2pm from Monday to Friday.

Bernie Johnston, lead services manager for Enable Scotland in Argyll and Bute, said: “We are delighted to have Katrina on board.

“Katrina’s wealth of experience and knowledge of the sector will certainly ensure the success of the Jean’s Bothy project, along with our members, partners and dedicated Enable Scotland staff team.”

Julie Cameron, the HSCP’s team lead for adult social services, said: “I am really pleased the centre has now appointed Katrina. She will be responsible for identifying opportunities for organisational development and collaborative working.

“Katrina is networking closely with health and social care staff, centre members, volunteers and partners to ensure their involvement in communication and development to help deliver and progress with the centre’s aims and objectives.”

“The centre will aim to improve outcomes for members and to reduce the need for statutory services.”

Katrina added: “People’s health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors.

“Social isolation is damaging to health, both mentally and physically. Being cut off from social interaction is a problem for all ages.

“The centre’s health promotion and intervention strategies will also be developed to reduce social isolation and loneliness.”

The future of Jean’s Bothy depends on it becoming a sustainable model to deliver what the community needs for the benefit of its members.

To find out more about becoming a member, or about Jean’s Bothy generally, email jeansbothy@enable.org.uk, see the

or call 01436 679218.

You can also follow the centre on Twitter at

and on Instagram at

.