Charity Launch Mental Health Programme using £10K cash boost

11th February 2023

A CHARITY which supports people affected by alcohol or drug misuse is using a £10,000 boost to set up a new programme which will help reduce isolation and improve mental health.

Moving On Inverclyde, which marked its 20th anniversary last year, received the money through the Inverclyde Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund.

The team at the service will now work in collaboration with Access Technology Scotland to develop a digital platform where service users can stay in touch and share their tips for recovery.
The programme will also include modules aimed at increasing digital skills and service users will be able to gain formal qualifications.

Moving On service manager Bev Thow says the activities will benefit 50 service users directly and provide a 'lasting legacy' to many others for years to come. She added: "Using newly developed skills and through the creation of music, we will bring together a platform which every service user can benefit from, even if they are not directly involved. "It will still be able to be accessed by people who leave the service and can be managed and improved upon by those new to the service. "It will be a peer-developed platform for communication, support, motivation and empowerment with music and content designed in house."

The team at Moving On provide support to people affected by their own or another person's problematic use of alcohol or drugs. The service saw 300 referrals last year.

Bev says she expects to see even more referrals this year due to continued social isolation resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis. She hopes the digital programme will help people in their recovery. Service users will get the chance to learn more about streaming services like Spotify and about accessing podcasts and creating playlists. A 'digital detectives' module will give them the chance to share their opinions and interests on themes which could be included on the platform. It's hoped that creating the digital platform itself will help service users build and develop a whole new range of technical and transferable skills.

Meanwhile music group participants will create pieces for the online platform. Bev said: "Our service users will learn a whole range of new skills through individual activities and social activities with their peers.

"We're looking forward to launching later this month."