SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) have redesigned and launched a new approach to tacklking people living with mental health problems.

A new community engagement has been set up which aims to provide the people in the North Coast and Cumbrae with mental health problems, a more accessible service to support them build relationships within the community and lead fulfilling lives. The redesigned service has been funded by North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

The service, named Positive Steps (formerly known as Buccleuch Clubhouse and Community Horizons) based at 21 Station Road Stevenson , will utilise resources and opportunities that are already available in North Ayrshire to help individuals self-manage their mental health. The service will deliver tailored one-to-one support based on individual needs and provide access to SAMH’s Tools for Living Programme; providing the tools and skills people need to seek and sustain volunteering and employment opportunities . Positive Steps will also develop peer support opportunities to enable people who use the service to learn from each other’s experience, share that experience and strengthen people to make a positive change. By giving people access to resources within their communities, they can get to know more people which can boost confidence; nurture personal interests and improve quality of life.

Those who attended included supporters of SAMH, Margaret Burgess MSP, Senior Management from North Ayrshire Council, Senior Management of Ayrshire & Arran NHS Community Mental Health Team. A brief introduction was given by Susan Forrest, SAMH Community Business Manager for North Ayrshire, followed by a networking lunch.

Susan Forrest said: “The support provided by North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership has been invaluable in helping Positive Steps develop and highlights how much belief there is in the work that SAMH in North Ayrshire do.

“The Positive Steps model is based on helping people with mental health problems take advantage of the same opportunities as anyone else. We will use all resources afforded to us through local partnerships and SAMH’s exclusive Tools for Living programme* to improve the personal fulfilment of those who can benefit from our support in North Ayrshire.” North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Councillor Anthea Dickson, said: “I’m pleased that our funding will provide some of the most vulnerable members of our community with a bespoke service that enables them to develop and flourish in North Ayrshire.

“The service redesign has been delivered through partnership working with the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and SAMH with the needs of service users at the heart of every decision. “This has allowed the formation of Positive Steps – a service that will provide those living with mental health problems the opportunity to embrace a recovery focussed approached that will help them become more involved in the wider community.

“This fits nicely with the key priorities in the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Strategic Plan.” For more information surrounding SAMH Positive Steps service, please call 01294 604384 or email ann.reid@samh.org.uk.