Wellbeing centre welcomed by Guernsey Mind

Tuesday 27 July 2021

The Government Work Plan includes the delivery of a wellbeing centre as one of ten critical actions to be delivered within six months, and a local mental health charity has welcomed the news.

Guernsey Mind has recorded a sustained increase in the need for its services since the start of the pandemic, most notably following the first lockdown in 2020.

This had led to a need for the service to ‘increase and diversify’ its provision to support people in the Bailiwick.

“We are really pleased that the launch of a pilot wellbeing centre has been recognised as a priority for the States of Guernsey,” said Chairman of Guernsey Mind, Boley Smillie.

“We hope that this project, along with the funding, will be approved and we can progress as a matter of urgency.”

Pictured: The Policy & Resources Committee lists ten ‘critical recovery actions’ that have been deemed issues needing immediate attention.

Guernsey Mind used to get 30 referrals for its services each month, after the first lockdown this has increased to 80. The team at Mind has also seen an increase in the complexity of each case and the level of crisis people have been in.

“Covid-19 has impacted on people’s mental health in widely varied and sometimes unexpected ways,” said Systemic Psychotherapist, Gary Ayres.

“The Guernsey Mind staff and therapists are working with great commitment and to full capacity to meet this demand, and it is important that the island views the development and expansion of such services as an ongoing need.”

Pictured: Guernsey Mind provides dozens of services to islanders.

The GWP is currently being debated and Mr Smillie hopes it’ll lead to further support for mental health services in Guernsey.

“We look to the States of Guernsey, through the government work plan and commissioning arrangements with the third sector, to ring fence financial support for the delivery of these crucial and much needed services,” he said.