Mental health charity Birchwood Highland celebrates its name change to Centred
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A mental health charity in the Highlands has changed its name as it adapts to new ideas and ways of providing support.
Birchwood Highland, which promotes independence, inclusion and recovery for people experiencing mental ill-health, is now called Centred.
The charity supports hundreds of people throughout the Highlands through care and support, either in their own homes or through residential care.
As it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, it has chosen to change its name to represent the future of mental health support.
The name change was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake at its office in Tomnahurich Street, Inverness.
It was attended by Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry.
Group chief executive David Brookfield said it marked an innovative step in the life of a pioneering charity.
“Birchwood Highland has always been on the cutting edge of mental health support, and we believe this change to Centred reflects this by accelerating our innovative approach to helping those suffering from mental ill-health,” he said.
“We are adapting to change in the mental health landscape, we are initiating our own research into mental health within rural areas to identify ways that service delivery can be adapted to rural challenges, and we believe this will make us ready for the future.
“We hope this will help us continue to develop new ideas, new ways of practice and support, and new ways to challenge the stigma of mental ill-health.
“In today’s world, mental ill health can effect all of us and as individuals we all have different needs and ways that support is delivered.
“This is what Centred will mean – person-centred support for the specific needs of each individual.”
Its previous name of Birchwood Highland was often confused with other organisations with a similar name.
The charity said it will keep the conversation about mental health going through its current campaign, Freedom Starts Within.
It promotes the message that freedom from the stigma of mental ill-health, starts by accepting ourselves as the unique individuals we are.
It is inviting people to share their own mental health stories.
To join in the campaign, people can visit tag your story on social media @centredscot, call 01463 236507, email comms@centred.scot or go to #freedomstartswithin.
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