Banchory - Suffering quietly
Research into wellbeing in Banchory and the surrounding area has been published, revealing a complex picture of people suffering from poor physical and mental health behind closed doors and without adequate support.
The report titled 'Suffering Quietly' was commissioned by Banchory Community Trust through the Scottish Government's Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing fund managed by Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action. The qualitative research was undertaken by trained volunteers living in the community led by Professor Karen McArdle and Sue Briggs MBE.
The paper highlights a lack of wellbeing and inequality of social justice both of which will require attention from service providers in the public, private and third sectors in order for everyone in the area to have a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.
The report concludes:
There is an identified need for:
Improved Signposting beyond social media;
Social prescribing;
Additional youth work services;
Support for those with children in early years;
Early intervention counselling;
Adult learning to tackle social isolation:
Community development activities to bring people together from the different communities in Banchory.
Some of these services exist already in part, across multiple sites, but are fragmentary. We suggest that consideration should be given to securing a community space to house these services in an accessible, readily identifiable and cohesive hub. This would also provide a
locus for public services that are increasingly being offered through outreach elsewhere.
The benefits would include:
Better understanding of how services engage with people in turn to better understand the changes which occur in service delivery. This would reduce inaccurate perceptions. Lack of clarity, it is proposed, undermines confidence and damages expectations.
Strong networking between public / third sector and community sector organisations and individuals to provide better and more relevant services.
Community based signposting for services and activities and facilities; everyone needs to know what exists. This will also strongly support any informed social prescribing.
The potential for more work around early intervention and prevention to support mental health and wellbeing.
Banchory Community Council is committed to working alongside Banchory Community Trust and other organisations in the town towards a better future for those suffering quietly.
The full report can be downloaded here.