Who, what, why, where?
About the Skye & Lochalsh Mental Health Association
SLMHA exists to support adults in Skye and Lochalsh who are affected by a mental health problem. Our drop-in service is unusual in many ways. We pride ourselves on our relaxed homely environment which is completely unlike the clinical atmosphere people often expect. We have an open door policy that makes us accessible to people who haven’t made contact with the medical services that would normally be needed for a referral. Members aren’t asked to fill in any forms or care plans.
The key values underpinning our work are the importance of trust and immediacy. Trust is important because everyone needs somewhere they feel a sense of belonging and of being valued, and because when a crisis strikes they’re far more likely to turn to someone they already know well. Immediacy is important because we understand the power of anxiety and the mental health benefits of a getting a question answered or a form filled in straight away rather than having to wait.
Our Values
How are we different?
A home from home.
We are exceptional among mental health services in that, through agreement with the Care Commission, we are not registered. This allows informality and open access and gives our centre a home from home atmosphere that helps people relax and accept support. We can promise our members that we don’t keep files or records on them, which makes a huge difference to people with a long experience of formal psychiatric services.
The Monday to Friday drop-in service at Am Fasgadh and weekly support in Kyle are funded through a Service Delivery Contract with NHS Highland, who also separately fund our outreach support programme and delivery of Decider Skills courses. Additional funding for the Kyle drop-in comes from the Peoples’ Health Trust and 50% of the cost of weekend opening at Am Fasgadh is funded by The Robertson Trust. Over the past 10 years we’ve held grants from many of Scotland and the UK’s leading charity trusts including the Tudor Trust, the Henry Smith Charity, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust and the AB Charitable Trust.
The Association is a company limited by guarantee (SC185967) and a registered Scottish charity (SC021154) and it remains completely independent and not part of any regional or national organisation - a real strength because we’re able to make decisions based purely on local needs and on what our members want.
Our Background
Born from the need to help.
In 1992 a group people including GPs, Psychiatric Nurses, Consultant Psychiatrist, Social Workers, Housing Association Director, Council on Alcohol, Community Advice Service, Council for Voluntary Organisations and other interested members of the community saw the need for a facility to provide support in the community for those suffering from mental health problems. After becoming a registered Scottish charity and with the help of funding from the Highland Council and the Scottish Government Mental Illness Specific Grant, the Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Project began. Initially the project secured a lease on the old Cabin restaurant in Bayfield, Portree. During the first 10 years of the project we became a company limited by guarantee, started an outreach project for South Skye and Lochalsh and quickly began to outgrow The Cabin. In 2003 the now Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association secured a lease on the Portree Backpackers Hostel. After some conversion and decoration work Am Fasgadh (meaning the shelter )was opened in May of that year.
The Association is now run by a Board of Directors still made up of several Local GPs, Manager of the Council on Alcohol, Director of the Local Housing Association and members who use the service. We also have advisors to the board who include the Consultant Psychiatrist, Local Police Inspector, a local solicitor and our accountant.
Be part of it
If you think we can help you and need our support we would be so happy to have you. Get in touch if you need support.
We are open 365 days a year, and we provides a safe and comfortable place in which to escape the isolation that so often goes with a mental health problem. We don’t do therapy or counselling but we what we do provide is friendship and support with a human face. We offer advice and guidance, emotional support, help with forms and phone calls, help in dealing with other organisations and speaking up for what you want, plus whatever practical support we can.
