Our Rural Outreach service is a mobile community-based service for people living in Stirlingshire’s rural and remote areas who may otherwise find it difficult to access mental health services.
Living in rural and remote areas can be challenging for most people, but for people experiencing mental health difficulties there is increased risk of vulnerability and social isolation. For some people their mental health may need short term support, whereas for others it is long term and intermittent support during episodic periods of mental ill-health to prevent admission to hospital.
Anyone aged 18 and over experiencing mental health difficulties can be referred to Action in Mind by health and social care professionals from NHS Forth Valley and Stirling Council.
Service users are supported with independent living, whether as homeowners, private or social tenants, as their mental health may make it difficult for them to manage day-to-day tasks. This can lead to a worsening of their mental health condition, added to which is the risk of physical neglect and mismanagement of money, which can result in increased debt and defaulting on rent or mortgage payments, council tax or utility charges, for example.
The Rural Outreach Service operates Monday to Wednesday, 9.30am – 5.00pm and is managed by the Rural Outreach Worker, who is herself a qualified mental health nurse. The role of the Rural Outreach Worker is to support clients in the self-management of their mental health and to help them access appropriate information and advice services as well as local community activities. The worker also provides carer support. We are locality-based in Callander, Balfron and Killin GP Surgery.
Feedback from Service Users:
“I have felt very fortunate to have such constant encouragement and support.”
“I have definitely benefited from this service without doubt. I have received support which has helped me get through some difficult times.”
“The service has been a positive experience. I have found the support has been a life line that has helped me feel a little more normal.”
“Mental health is not one size fits all and I think the work you do has helped me and my family immensely. I would have probably taken my own life without this support. The service has been pivotal in my well-being and family’s expectations.”
Our Befriending Team works with individuals in Stirlingshire who experience poor mental wellbeing and are socially isolated by giving them the opportunity to regularly meet with a volunteer befriender.
Our volunteer befrienders are locally recruited and offer their free time to the befriending service. They must be 18 years or over and fulfill all of the requirements outlined in our bespoke volunteer recruitment and training program. Throughout their time working with our clients, they are provided with ongoing support from the Service Manager.
Who can use the Befriending Service?
Adults over the age of 18 who are struggling with their mental health and do not live in supported accommodation can access our befriending service. As the service operates in the local community, individuals must be able to leave their home independently. They can be referred by any person working with them in a professional capacity.
What happens in Befriending?
Our service users can expect to be supported by a volunteer Befriender on a one-to-one basis to engage with activities within the local community. Befriending clients are supported to devise their own personal goal plan by identifying key outcomes that they wish to achieve as a result of befriending support. It is the role of Befrienders to help motivate the client to take progressive steps towards achieving these. Befriending support is available to people for 12 months.
Our Befriending Service is only funded to support people living in Stirlingshire, Scotland.
