Volunteers and service users at Morven Day Services are feeling “distressed” about the funding withdrawal.
A lifeline mental health service in Kilmarnock is under threat after vital funding was axed.
Morven Day Services is facing a bleak future after East Ayrshire health and social care partnership ( EAHSCP) announced plans to withdraw crucial funding.
The community hub currently supports more than 130 people living with mental health issues in the area.
The devastating news has left volunteers and service users stunned.
According to Martin Hancock, who chairs the Morven Day Services service user group in addition to being a volunteer and service user, “everyone was extremely shocked and distressed at the news that funding would be cut. It was an unexpected decision.”
“We hope that through discussion with the local authority and potential new funding, this vital service will be able to continue, but at the moment, the future looks bleak with funding due to be withdrawn in May.”
A review of services commissioned by EAHSCP, to support people who live with a learning disability or mental health problems, has recently concluded. The purpose of the review was to ensure that people are being appropriately supported to achieve their outcomes, and that money is being spent effectively.
The recommendations arising from the review were agreed by the Integration Joint Board on December 13, 2023.
Some of these included the choice to stop supporting Morven Day Services. The money is scheduled to expire in May 2024.
The management team of the Morven Centre met with senior leaders from the Health and Social Care Partnership on January 9 to discuss the decision.
“The wellbeing of East Ayrshire residents is our highest priority,” stated Jo Gibson, Head of wellness and Recovery at East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership. We are in the process of getting in touch with everyone who is presently residing at the Morven Centre, discussing their needs, and identifying suitable substitute resources. This has already started.”
On January 12, HSCP officials held sessions in Kilmarnock and Cumnock where they informed the impacted people about the issue, offered support, and addressed any queries they may have had.
Run by Crossreach, the social work division of the Church of Scotland, Morven Day Services has been offering the service for more than 30 years.
The clinic offers adult residents of East Ayrshire support, counselling, and a range of therapies to reduce stress and anxiety.
They provide a variety of programmes, such as gardening, yoga, music therapy, walking groups, arts and crafts, jewellery making, and swimming. During lunch, they also serve food, tea, and coffee.
Additionally, users of the service have five days a week access to trained personnel.
per week and can get support at the immediate point of need, something which isn’t available through statutory services.
Martin said, “Many people have to wait more than 18 months to see a CPN, and many of them end up being referred to Morven day services. Local NHS mental health services and the social work department are already struggling to cope with a massive backlog.”
“This facility is recognised as one of the greatest in Scotland, and numerous employees have won awards for their commitment to helping service users.
“The strong bonds and community spirit within this group will never be able to be replaced and there isn’t anything like it anywhere else in the surrounding area.”
At the moment the mental health community hub is hoping to find alternative funding to save valuable services in the area.
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