At full council on Wednesday 19th June, the following motion was put to the council to propose to spend around 5% of extra funding from the Scottish Government to the excellent mental health drop-in, Catch 23 proposed by Cllr Gordon Murray and seconded by Cllr Rae Mackenzie
The motion was :
“Following the announcement of the allocation of Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Funding for 2024/25 from the Scottish Government to support additional island costs, that the Comhairle recognising that one in six people are currently experiencing mental ill health and the devastating consequences this can have not only for individuals but their families, friends and communities. The Comhairle agrees to support people facing the challenges of mental ill health throughout the Western Isles, and to help achieve that end agrees to allocate £50,000 from the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Funding to Western Isles Association for Mental Health, a community based organisation committed to providing a support service known as Catch 23 to those suffering from mental ill health, and their families, friends and carers, for 2024/25, subject to the confirmation of the level of funding and any conditions which the council may determine.”
Thanks to all the councillors that voted to support this motion:
Cllr Susan Thomson, Cllr Paul Finnegan, Cllr Iain Macaulay, Cllr Norrie T Macdonald, Cllr Frances Murray, Cllr John A Maciver
Here is Cllr Gordon Murray's speech :
"Thank you convenor for allowing this motion to be considered alongside the P & R decision report.
Catch 23 or Western Isles Association of Mental Health annual need have doubled from £80k pre-covid to £157k as at the end of the financial year 31st March 2023.
Pre-covid they received 50% of their funding (statutory) but as there has been no uplift that has reduced to 1/3 of annual income.
They are in desperate need of a cash injection of £50k to continue delivering the vital services for 2024/25.
They are involved in community fund-raising and donations are at an all time high.
What do they do?
Well, I was invited to go and see them and to be honest, members, I was very moved at what they are doing and what they are achieving.
They are a mental health drop-in for adults.
Members, some of their users come to Catch 23 and they are at the end of their tether - at their wits end.
Catch 23 organise activities, walks, projects, arts, social interaction and engagement in a safe and nurturing environment - you need to go and see for yourselves as I would not be able to do it justice, but looking at the outcomes => it saves lives.
It literally saves lives.
I hear accounts of those, suicidal, who came to Catch 23 who literally saved their lives and put their lives back on track.
We know the cost-of-living crisis has been a disaster especially for those not as well-equipped to overcome the challenges that have been wrought on our communities.
There is always talk about prices increasing, bills increasing but there is also human cost, pushing people towards the abyss.
The ethos according to the Scottish government website relating to the funding is:
"Islanders most impacted by the cost of living crisis will; be able to access additional help"
"The islands Cost Crisis Emergency fund will target support to those who are struggling due to the cost of living crisis through existing schemes or new support."
The chief executive said £169k was a little amount of money whilst talking to this item, members , this £50k could be everything to a person, their family, their community by helping them to come back from who knows what!
I thank God for places like Catch 23 and would seek your support in supporting the notice of motion - it could be a life-saver for someone!"
