Frustration as opening date for long-awaited mental health crisis centre in Dundee yet to be confirmed

Frustration as opening date for long-awaited mental health crisis centre in Dundee yet to be confirmed

An opening date for a long-awaited mental health crisis centre in Dundee still has not been confirmed, following several delays.

The Community Wellbeing Centre, which will operate from a former Hillcrest property on South Ward Road, was originally planned to open in 2021.

But a series of delays has left those in need of emergency 24/7 mental health support still waiting – nearly five years after the idea for the centre was first mooted.

The last delay was caused by road closures following a fire at the nearby former Robertson’s furniture store.

Four months later, the keys for the site have been handed over but an opening date has yet to be revealed.

Phil Welsh, founder of the Not In Vain For Lee campaign, has been calling for a crisis centre in Dundee since he lost his 27-year-old son to suicide in 2017.

He understands a “soft opening” of the centre is planned for next month but operators Penumbra did not confirm this when asked by The Courier.

A Penumbra spokesperson said only that announcements and an opening date will be made “in due course”.

Mental health crisis centre campaigner, Phil Welsh, holding picture of son Lee, who died in 2017.

Phil added: “The delay has been frustrating, however, considering we have been campaigning for this crisis centre for five years, as we refer to it, I can accept another few months, as long as we get it right.

“The centre will help fill a gap in provision for folk who are at the pinnacle of crisis, this is much needed and very welcome.

“Dundee has an appalling record of adult suicide and this centre may offer a glimmer of hope in tackling this insidious issue.”

Series of delays

The Community Wellbeing Centre was initially due to open in 2021 following a lengthy campaign by activists.

The opening was then delayed until March 2022, then until August, with issues with building materials and manpower being blamed for delay.

And then the centre was due to open in December but road closures as a result of the Robertson’s furniture store fire knocked the project off schedule again.

Announcements made ‘in due course’

A Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership spokesman said: “Handover of the building has taken place and fitting out is underway.

“Announcements about the operation of the Community Wellbeing Centre and an opening date will be made in due course.”

A spokeswoman for Penumbra said, “Announcements about the operation of the Community Wellbeing Centre and an opening date will be made in due course.”

Mental health support is available via Samaritans by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org or visit their website to find details of your nearest branch.

Dundee mental health charity’s five ways to wellbeing

Dundee mental health charity’s five ways to wellbeing

Dundee’s Wellbeing Works will soon be celebrating its 100th birthday.

They provide one-to-one support and group activities to help people while promoting better mental health and wellbeing.

As a non-profit organisation it fulfils an important role in the city for those in need.

Wellbeing Works is contracted by the Health and Social Care Partnership to deliver support services for adults in Dundee.

The charitable organisation is based at the Wellgate Centre and has a team of 12 staff plus volunteers.

Wendy Callander, executive director of the operation said: “People are referred to us by other mental health providers, GPs, community mental health teams but we also have people referring themselves.”

Wellbeing Works currently has a case load of around 156 people.

Wellbeing Works helps the community

The staff at Wellbeing Works see several common themes across the people they help.

“They are often lonely or isolated, are experiencing loss or anxiety, they have little structure or routine, and their confidence, self-esteem and mood is fairly low.

“We have an extensive programme of activities that helps to tackle these issues for those who attend.

“Activities are designed to help build connections with others.”

The team at Wellbeing Works provide a vital community service to those most in need of mental health guidance.

The executive director said demand for the services of Wellbeing Works is fairly steady.

She went on: “People come to us for many different reasons.

“Some will need long-term support. Others might just need some information or a perhaps attend the Well Ahead course.

“This steady flow through means that so far we have been able to give people the support when they need it.”

100 years of service

Wellbeing Works used to be known as Dundee Association for Mental Health (DAMH), which started in 1925.

Wendy said that the organisation was originally set up to relieve suffering for the mentally ill, through awarding funding.

“Our records are patchy up until the 1960s, but we know DAMH worked closely with Dundee Royal Liff Hospital and Strathmartine Hospital.

“In 2019 we rebranded, changing our name to Wellbeing Works to better reflect our ethos and values, focusing on wellbeing instead of illness.”

Five ways to wellbeing

The executive director said the services provided are based on a model called five ways to wellbeing.

These are:

  • connect with others
  • be more active
  • learn something new
  • take notice
  • give

Activities include bingo or dominoes; music, arts and crafts and photography; mindfulness, relaxation and chair yoga; and workshops.

Last year, Wellbeing Works introduced a new project, the community toolbox.

This is a library of things that members can borrow instead of buying.

These include power tools, carpet cleaners, camping equipment, gazebos, party packs, baking equipment, sewing machines, and many other things.

The Wellbeing Works premises is located in the Wellgate Shopping Centre.
Wendy explained: “We know that many people in our community cannot afford to buy these items.

“Having access to them to carry out a repair or hang a curtain rail will mean their home is more comfortable.”

She said the pandemic had definitely helped to increase awareness of mental health, and more people are now talking about it.

“We have a range of training courses we can deliver for local groups or businesses, to help demystify mental health.

“We have seen an increase in demand for these short courses, and we are delighted to be able to help.”

Looking ahead

Wendy says she has a fabulous team at Wellbeing Works.

Looking to the future for the organisation, she said her team will keep doing what they are good at – improving the mental health and wellbeing of local people.

“And, before too long, we will start planning our exhibition of 100 years of mental health in Dundee 2025.”

Tayside psychiatry vacancies worst in Scotland as expert warns national services ‘unsafe’

Tayside psychiatry vacancies worst in Scotland as expert warns national services ‘unsafe’

Tayside is at the epicentre of a “national scandal” in adult psychiatry care, with senior managers breaking ranks to brand wider services across Scotland “unsafe”.

The region was likened to a “canary in the coal mine” as new analysis found it has the worst record for recruiting general adult psychiatry consultants anywhere in the country.

The Courier can reveal a professional body representing leading psychiatrists is warning patients in Scotland are being put at risk by services at breaking point.

Situation is ‘critical’

Dr Amanda Cotton, chair of the Senior Medical Managers in Psychiatry group, said: “The situation regarding consultant psychiatrist vacancies across Scotland is critical.

“A review of vacant consultant posts undertaken by our group of Senior Medical Managers in Psychiatry last year demonstrated true vacancy rates in Scotland from 13% to over 50% around the country.

“Often it is the most impoverished areas of the country, and the areas that experience the worst rates of drug-related deaths, that have the least number of psychiatrists.

“This is a national scandal.”

Dr Cotton is also Associate Medical Director for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services at NHS Borders.

She warned bosses are trying to manage a “terrible shortage” of consultant psychiatrists by employing temporary locum doctors, “some of whom might not have undergone the necessary training”.

She added: “This is unsafe and would not be accepted in other areas of healthcare.”

‘Services must be scaled back’

Dr Cotton said the current situation in psychiatry would be like allowing doctors to operate with surgical training.

The expert said staff are “overwhelmed”.

And she called for a reduction in the number of services being offered until the next generation of consultants is trained.

She said: “We have raised our concerns directly to the Scottish Government and asked that they begin an urgent conversation with the Scottish public about what care specialist mental health services can and cannot provide over the next few years.

“Staff in mental health services need to feel they are doing a job that is safe, realistic and achievable.”

Crisis in Tayside laid bare

New analysis from the Senior Medical Managers in Psychiatry group, seen by The Courier, lays bare the extent of the crisis in Tayside and across Scotland.

The region should be employing 24.5 full time equivalent consultants in general adult psychiatry but has only five in post.

NHS Tayside chief executive Grant Archibald with chairwoman Lorna Birse-Stewart.
NHS Tayside chief executive Grant Archibald with chairwoman Lorna Birse-Stewart.

Health chiefs have tried to plug the gaps with temporary locum hires but still has a need for 4.5 full time equivalent staff.

It means 18% of Tayside’s psychiatry requirements are currently unfilled, the worst rate anywhere in Scotland.

The vacancy rate across the country as a whole is 9%.

In Fife, the vacancy rate is 8%.

‘Shocking’

Dundee-based MSP Michael Marra described the figures as “truly shocking” and said they “lay bare the massive task in rebuilding mental health services”.

He said: “The situation in Tayside – considerably worse than the rest of Scotland – has been described to me as the canary in the coal mine of an over-stretched mental health service nationally.

“Despite all of the warnings, the major reports and promises of action from SNP ministers there is scant progress on any of the big issues.”

Michael Marra MSP
Michael Marra MSP. 

NHS Tayside said the health board is working closely with staff to develop new workforce models, including advanced prescribing roles for non-medical practitioners.

A health board spokesperson added: “There is a UK-wide shortage of consultant psychiatrists which is creating a very challenging recruitment environment.”

SNP minister Kevin Stewart said the mental health workforce has “expanded significantly” under the current government.

Mr Stewart noted that “record numbers of staff” are providing more varied support to a larger number of people than ever before.

He added: “As part of our ongoing commitment and investment, we are working with partners to develop both a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Workforce Plan in 2023.”

Dundee mental health crisis centre delayed due to Robertson’s fire

Dundee mental health crisis centre delayed due to Robertson’s fire

The facility on South Ward Road was initially expected to open in 2021 but has been hit by multiple delays.

Work on the community wellbeing centre (CWC) was expected to be complete in December 2022, with the centre opening shortly after.

But due to road closures as a result of the fire at the nearby former Robertson’s furniture store, on Barrack Street in November, work at the facility is still not complete.

Opening date for Dundee crisis centre not known

A new opening date for the centre is still to be announced, but Dundee City Council says the building is to be fitted out for operation by the end of this month.

Plans for the mental health centre were first proposed in April 2021, following a lengthy campaign by activists.

But the opening was later delayed until March 2022, and again until August.

The council faced criticism after the facility was the delayed a third time – over a year later than planned.

Progress was made in October when charity Penumbra was appointed to provide support at the centre.

The Hillcrest building on South Ward Road where the mental health facility will be located. 

The charity offers a range of support services for people with mild to serious and enduring mental ill health across Scotland.

Once open, the centre will provide “immediate” help to anyone in need of mental health support and will provide accommodation for those needing “intensive support” for a short period.

A Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson said: “An update on the community wellbeing centre was given to a public meeting of the Integration Joint Board of the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership in December.

“Members were advised that because of the exclusion zone following the fire at the former Robertson’s building and its demolition, completion of building work on the nearby centre was not able to be achieved by the end of December.

“Handover is now expected to take place later this month, when the building will then be fitted out for operation.

“An opening date for the community wellbeing centre will be announced in due course.”

Emma Wilson, Penumbra Senior Service Manager. Image: DC Thomson.

Penumbra Senior Service Manager, Emma Wilson, said: “We were pleased to be asked to have a role in offering mental health support tailored to the needs of people across the city.

“Our focus will always be the wellbeing of every person we support, so it’s important that the building is fit for use from the very start.

“We share people’s frustration that unexpected events have impacted on the building work, but we’re continuing to work proactively with the partners in the stakeholder group in developing the centre to fruition.”

Dundee welcomes male grooming salon The Mantuary to ‘revolutionise’ men’s self-care

Dundee welcomes male grooming salon The Mantuary to ‘revolutionise’ men’s self-care

A new male grooming venue known as The Mantuary has opened in Dundee, including a remit to help foster the mental wellbeing of clients.

Additionally, as well as space to catch up with emails, chat with friends, or just enjoy some down time, the idea of supporting client mental wellbeing is “central” to the salon. Each member of the team has completed mental health first aid training, and a bespoke CBD product line designed to relax and destress is currently in production.

General manager Savannah Lockerbie said: “It’s been wonderful to have enjoyed such a warm welcome to Dundee. We’re offering a unique concept which has been so well received. Much more than your average man cave, The Mantuary is a space where clients can head in and enjoy a coffee, a dram or a cocktail and a chat, even on days when they’re not booked in for a treatment, and we’re looking forward to creating a real community here.”
Football fans encouraged to open up on mental health in Tannadice project

Football fans encouraged to open up on mental health in Tannadice project

A support group encouraging men to open up about mental health issues through a love of football is returning to Dundee.

The Changing Room is an informal 12-week programme which uses football grounds across Scotland as safe spaces for men to discuss their shared love of the sport while opening up conversation around mental health.

A new session will run at Tannadice from next week, run by Dundee United Community Trust and the SAMH mental health charity.

SAMH programme co-ordinator Gregor Dow said guests should feel relaxed when they take part in the sessions.

He said: “The main aspect of The Changing Room is to have folk turn up and join in with the craic.

“We’ll be discussing football but there will be that element of mental health sprinkled in too.”

Gregor added: “It’s a very safe environment.

“There is no judgment and everyone is really friendly. You can even be a Dundee fan or not even like football and take part.”

The sessions, funded by Movember and supported by the SPFL Trust, are aimed at men between the ages of 30 and 64.

Gregor said: “We’ll be having quizzes, there’ll be special guests who will offer advice and also some behind-the-scenes tours round the stadium.

“We also hold walk and talk sessions, which allows the guys to walk along some parts of Tannadice they may not have access to on matchdays.”

How the Changing Room starts conversations

United supporter Ross Lindsay attended the first run of sessions earlier in the year and is encouraging others to give them a go.

He explained: “I’m the only male at home so, to start with, I was just looking for somewhere I could come to get some space and speak with people with a similar interest of football.

“The biggest impact for me was my increase in confidence. I also feel I can speak about my mental health with my other half more openly now.”

Ross is hoping others will enjoy a similar boost.

He said: “Don’t talk yourself out of it before giving it a try. Even come for one session and see what you think.

“The anxiety of coming along lifts the more you come. I didn’t even realise how much it was helping at the time until I noticed I was looking forward to coming back every week.”

Lindsey is excited at the opportunity of helping more people. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

The community trust’s health and wellbeing coordinator, Lindsey Brown, will be running the sessions, supported by Gregor.

She said: “From our last intake I felt really privileged to be a part of everyone’s journeys in improving their mental health.

“The feedback we received showed how people are coping with certain challenges better and their confidence has grown. To be part of that change is lovely.

“I’m really excited to be able to help more people in that situation.

“This is our only mental health programme and the trust are really excited to be able to provide that to not only Dundee United fans but to the local community.”

The first session will take place at Tannadice on Tuesday November 29 from 6.30-8pm.

To book your place or for more information, email lindsey.brown@dundeeunitedct.co.uk or gregor.dow@samh.org.uk.

Dundee set for new indoor skatepark after council approves plans

Dundee set for new indoor skatepark after council approves plans

A new indoor skate park will open in Dundee after plans were given the green light by council planning bosses.

Dundee City Council has approved plans for the former Tannadice Motors unit at Angus Works to be transformed into an indoor skatepark.

The approval comes after previous attempts to secure planning permission for an indoor skatepark in Dundee were rejected by the local authority.

‘Growing demand’ for indoor venue

Skaters Scott Young and Lewis Allan are the brains behind the plans, which will see a “high-quality, professionally constructed timber skatepark” come to the city.

This, the application outlines, is to meet the “growing demand among wheeled sports users in Dundee for a safe space to practise their chosen sport all year round”.

Speaking about securing planning permission for the project, Scott thanked those who had helped them get to this stage.

“We are ecstatic to receive planning permission and would like say a massive thank you to all the members of the skate and wheeled sports community who have supported the project”, he said.

dundee indoor skatepark
Lewis and Scott at a makeshift skating site behind the Seagate bus station.

“Now we can proceed with finalising the skatepark design and begin the transformation into a facility which beginners to experienced skaters can progress, improve and push their passion.

“(The skatepark) will create a safe space to learn within your abilities and allow accessibility to wheeled sports users in and around Dundee.”

No opening date has been set for the indoor skatepark, as planning permission had to be secured before the designs are finalised.

The Angus Works unit that has been chosen for the skatepark has been empty since June last year.

Previous plans rejected by council

Scott and Lewis had lodged an application this year to redevelop three empty units in the Dryburgh Industrial Estate into an indoor skatepark.

However, these plans were knocked back by the authority’s planning department in May and a subsequent appeal was also unsuccessful.

Councillors cited poor public transport links to the premises and the fact it is designated for industrial business, not leisure purposes, as reasons for the rejection.

The city’s last indoor skatepark, The Factory, closed in 2019 after 20 years, and other skating spots in the city are all outdoors.

West Lane: Teenagers died after failures at ‘unstable’ hospital

West Lane: Teenagers died after failures at ‘unstable’ hospital

Three young women died after a catalogue of failures at an “unstable” and “overstretched” mental health hospital, an inquiry has found.

Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, both 17, and Emily Moore, 18, died under the care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).

The three friends were treated at West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough, where two of the girls took their own lives.

The trust admitted it had “unacceptable failings” and apologised unreservedly.

West Lane Hospital, which closed in 2019 following the deaths, provided specialist child and adolescent mental health services, including treatment for eating disorders.

Three independent reports were commissioned by NHS England into how each young woman was cared for – and the reports formed part of the inquiry.

A total of 120 failures in “care and service delivery” across a number of agencies were found over the treatment provided to them.

All three, who had been friends, died within eight months of each other.

Black and white picture of Christie Harnett.
Christie Harnett’s family said she was a talented artist who loved to sing and dance

Miss Harnett, from County Durham, took her own life at West Lane Hospital in June 2019 and Miss Sharif, from Middlesbrough, died there two months later.

Miss Moore took her own life in February 2020 at Lanchester Road Hospital. She had previously been treated at West Lane in 2018 and 2019.

The reports for Miss Harnett and Miss Sharif said there was an “organisational failure” to reduce the risk of hanging, accompanied with not recognising “increasing” risks and “changed presentation”.

 

They found “unstable and overstretched” services were “the root causes” of their deaths.

The reports identified 96 problems around their care, with both saying they believed these combined “as contributory factors” which led up to their suicides.

Nadia Sharif
Nadia Sharif’s family said their daughter was “caring and very bright”

While many failures were the responsibility of TEWV to address, several belonged to other agencies involved in looking after them, the reports said.

The reports for both girls – who had complex mental health needs – said failings were “multifaceted and systemic”, based upon a combination of factors, including reduced staffing, low morale and lack of leadership, as well as failures to respond to concerns from patients and staff alike.

They also highlighted a shortage of skilled children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) staff.

Miss Moore, from Shildon in County Durham, took her own life in February 2020 after being moved to adult services at Lanchester Road Hospital, which was run by the same trust.

The report said her parents were particularly concerned about the quality of her care at West Lane Hospital and felt “very strongly” that it should be part of the review.

Miss Moore had claimed that staff there “would shout and swear at her” when she harmed herself.

Emily Moore
Emily Moore was an animal lover who loved to shop, her family said

Because she was no longer an inpatient at West Lane when she died, the issues there “cannot be seen to have been immediate contributory factors in her death”, the report said.

Part of the aim of the report was to “identify any actions that could have led to a different outcome for Emily”.

It found that in its view, there were “two systems issues” that had “a direct impact” on her death; not taking her clinical needs into consideration when she moved to adult services, and a failure to address hanging risks.

The girls’ families have called for a public inquiry.

TEWV faces a prosecution by watchdog the Care Quality Commission over its failure to protect Miss Harnett and a full inquest into her death is yet to take place.

Her stepfather Michael Harnett, from Newton Aycliffe, said patients had to “clean the blood up off their own walls from headbanging”.

“Part of their policy was that the kids had to clean it up because they needed to learn to manage their illness,” he said.

“We want everybody to see the truth. It’s all well and good us telling everybody and coming on camera and saying this is how she was treated but, I think, until people see it in black and white from an independent [report] they’re not going to really believe it.”

Michael Harnett and Casey Tremain
Michael Harnett and Casey Tremain believe Christie’s mental health got worse at the hospital

Her grandmother, Casey Tremain, said she believed the conditions there were “more reminiscent of how the Victorian institutions used to be”.

“I remember telling her, if you tell them everything that’s going on in your head they’ll help you. And you’ll be able to live your life,” she told the BBC.

West Lane reopened under the name Acklam Road Hospital in May 2021, and inpatient provision for children and adolescents is now provided by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Brent Kilmurray, who became chief executive of TEWV in 2021, said the young women and their families “deserved better” and the organisation must do “everything in our power” to ensure these failings were not repeated.

“We accept in full the recommendations made in the reports – in fact the overwhelming majority of them have already been addressed by us where applicable to our services,” he said.

“It is clear from the reports that no single individual or group of individuals were solely to blame – it was a failure of our systems with tragic consequences.

“We have since undergone a thorough change in our senior leadership team and our structure and, as importantly, changed the way we care and treat our patients.”

‘Catastrophically failed’

Margret Kitching, chief nurse for NHS England, North East and Yorkshire, said the reports “make for very difficult reading”.

“We have put measures in place to protect patients while we support the trust in making the comprehensive programme of improvements needed at every level from its wards to its board room,” she said.

“Governance arrangements have been identified as a particular area of weakness and a further independent report has been commissioned to address this.”

Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald said the reports were “littered with instances” of how all three young women were “so catastrophically failed”.

He added he was “immensely disappointed” about the further delay of another report which would “apparently deal with broader issues” but now “in all likelihood” would not be published until the new year.

Grieving parents beg for improved Tayside mental health services as they fear son will become ‘another statistic’

Grieving parents beg for improved Tayside mental health services as they fear son will become ‘another statistic’

The parents of a man who took his own life fear he will become “another statistic” as they plead for improved mental health services in Tayside.

Paul Rollo, 49, was found dead at his home in Forfar last week, after a decade of battling with poor mental health.

The father of three’s relatives had been desperately seeking help after he attempted suicide in February, saying they feared the day would come again.

Parents Colin and Margaret Rollo, who live in Dundee where Paul is originally from, say they hope lessons will be learned from their son’s death.

‘We won’t be the last’

Mum Margaret said she feels let down by NHS Tayside, where her son previously worked in medical records.

“We’re not the only parents in this situation and I know we won’t be the last,” she said.

“Something has to be done, there are so many people dying unnecessarily.”

Carseview Centre in Dundee.
Carseview Centre in Dundee.

“Over the last year or so we’ve been left trying to hold this together ourselves with minimal assistance.

“Paul was struggling and was using other substances including cocaine to black out the demons.”

Parents begged for help at Carseview

Following Paul’s suicide attempt in February, the family had a meeting with mental health service staff at Carseview in June, when they told doctors they feared their son would kill himself.

Margaret said: “The last visit to Carseview was in June of this year, we spoke with a doctor and a nurse about the extent of the situation.

“Paul was needing proper psychiatric help to get to the root of his problems.

“We needed him to be given an extended stay in Carseview, it’s the only system locally we thought could help.

“I said to them ‘my son is going to kill himself’, I told this to Carseview staff many times.”

‘You’d do anything for your bairns but we just couldn’t save him’

Despite their pleas for help and attempts to support Paul themselves they couldn’t save him and he was found dead last Monday.

Margaret said: “Paul was only 49 and now he has left behind a wife and three children.

“The devastation is unbearable.

“We’re begging that Paul’s life won’t just be another statistic, there needs to be urgent reform.

“You’d do anything for your bairns but we just couldn’t save him.

“What we can do now is try and be advocates for change.”

Hope crisis centre will improve mental health support in Dundee

The parents hope the planned 24-hour mental health crisis centre, due to open in Dundee next year, will help more people get the help they need.

Margaret said: “For me I don’t want any family to have to experience what we’ve been through.

“There needs to be more intervention, more trained professionals and longer periods in care whilst being treated.

“You hope something like a crisis centre can help but it’s not open yet.

“The system at the moment is ill-equipped.

“How many more are going to be lost?”

The planned location of the crisis centre on South Ward Road.
The planned location of the crisis centre on South Ward Road.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said staff are in contact with Paul’s family.

She said: “The community mental health team will continue to be in contact with the family and our thoughts are with them at this time.

“We are unable to comment on individual patients due to patient confidentiality.”

Dad who lost son to suicide hits out at further delay to Dundee crisis centre

Dad who lost son to suicide hits out at further delay to Dundee crisis centre

A Dundee dad who lost his son to suicide has hit out at a further delay to the opening of a Dundee mental health crisis centre.

The facility is now expected to open in early 2023 – more than a year after originally planned.

The community wellbeing centre (CWC) on South Ward Road had initially been due to open in 2021 following a lengthy campaign by activists.

The opening was then delayed until March 2022, and then until August.

‘Unavoidable delays’ in Dundee crisis centre

Dundee City Council has now announced that due to “unavoidable delays” involving work at the centre and a tender, the facility will not be completed until December this year.

It is expected to be in operation “soon after that”.

Councillor Ken Lynn, chair of the city’s Integration Joint Board – one of the venture’s partners – said: “It is crucial that we get the CWC absolutely right in both terms of the building and the services it offers before the doors are opened.

The crisis centre will be in the Hillcrest building on South Ward Road.

 

“I would like to thank stakeholders from the third sector, carers and people with lived experience who have come together to bring decision-making closer to local communities and make it easier for local people to participate in this centre.

“Their input is vital to ensure that this centre offers the best help that it possibly can for people who are in crisis.”

Hillcrest, which currently occupies the building, and Dundee Voluntary Action are among the groups also involved.

Bereaved dad questions year-long delays

Phil Welsh, who lost son Lee to suicide, says the centre has been hit with “delay after delay”.

He said: “I’ve been campaigning for this since 2017 when my son took his life and it was a long fight to try and get the council to acknowledge that they would invest in a crisis centre, so once we got the news that that was happening, it was welcomed.

Mr Welsh says the centre could save lives, like those of his son.

 

“[Council leader] John Alexander is always keen to highlight that he’s aware of the situation and he isn’t shying away from it; prove it, then – let’s get behind this crisis centre and get this thing open.

“We need to ask the question, what exactly is it that’s causing the delays that have been going on for almost a year?

“I just wish this was open, simply because we wouldn’t want anybody to experience what we went through. It’s something that could potentially save somebody’s life.”

Council ‘full square behind’ crisis centre project

Mr Alexander insists the council and its partners are focused on bringing the centre to fruition.

He said: “This facility and the broader work is, without question, a top priority – as demonstrated by the additional funding we put into our budget just a few months ago.

“This facility is being delivered by a partnership, it isn’t the council’s building, we aren’t carrying out the works and we won’t run it.

John Alexander.

 

“We do, however, have an important role in supporting and helping to deliver it and that’s what we have and will continue to do.

“We are full square behind this and ensuring that it opens to support those that need it.

“Like everyone in the city, we want to see this facility opened as soon as possible. It’ll be a vital and literal lifeline and we can’t underestimate how important this will be.”