Inverness mental health charity secures £280k of funding
The Discovery College, run by leading mental health charity Centred, has been successful in two funding applications from The National Lottery Community Fund and NHS Third Sector Funding which will help the organisation to continue its vital work to improve mental health and wellbeing in the community.
Since opening in Inverness in July, the Discovery College, a first for the Highlands, has supported almost 200 people. It is a community-led concept designed to support people’s mental health through the creation of a relaxed meeting point in the community with opportunities to learn and increase understanding of wellbeing and mental health.
Key to the success of the model are ‘Peer Supporters’ who have their own lived experience and can therefore relate to the mental health challenges faced by those looking for support from the Discovery College.
The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and NHS Third Sector Funding will enable Centred to employ additional Peer Supporters as well as help to cover other staff costs, overheads and marketing, helping the organisation to reach those who would benefit from the services offered by the Discovery College to aid their mental health recovery.
Speaking about the funding award, David Brookfield, chief executive of Centred, said: “We are delighted to receive this vital funding. Combined, this funding is more than £280,000 and will help to fund the Discovery College over the next three years.
“It means that we can support more people who desperately need it in the community, involve volunteers and employ Peer Supporters. We have started our autumn/winter courses at the Discovery College which focus on improving wellbeing, connections and developing life skills and this funding will help us to continue to develop our offering here.”
Recognising the need for services to support mental health and wellbeing across the Highlands, Centred also has plans to extend its current services in Caithness and Lochaber by opening hubs in Wick and Fort William.
Additionally, the funding will allow Centred to undertake an evaluation of the impact of the services offered at the Inverness Discovery College, which will help to demonstrate the need for these services and potentially help secure partnerships or funding for the planned colleges in other locations.
The Discovery College is open Wednesday to Friday each week in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness, from 10am until 4pm. It also offers a variety of courses online via the Centred website.
