Future of mental health café secured thanks to funding

Keep The Heid Mental Health Cafe was launched in Haddington last November.

The cafe, which meets every Friday evening, offers people the chance to talk about their mental health.

Keep The Heid Mental Health Cafe has received a funding boost

Emma Jackson, who is behind the group, was delighted to say that funding had been secured.

Haddington and Lammermuir Area Partnership awarded £1,100 to the group, which meets in the Trinity Centre.

A second grant of just over £8,000 was awarded as part of the communities health and wellbeing fund, administered by Volunteer Centre East Lothian.

Emma, who lives in the town, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding.

“The awards will pay for marketing so we can reach more people who need support with their mental health, fees for a professional facilitator and room hire.

“The aim over the next year or so is to expand the cafe to other towns in East Lothian.

“With NHS resources stretched to breaking point, these grassroots projects are vital to people living with mental health problems in the community.”

The cafe is open to anyone over the age of 16, with tea, coffee and cake served from 7pm.

Emma Jackson was pleased to announce funding has been secured for Keep The Heid Mental Health Café

Emma previously told the Courier about why she decided to set up the group.

One in four people experience a mental health problem of some kind each year.

In 2019, there were 833 suicides across Scotland.

She said: “If you are an alcoholic, there are numerous Alcoholics Anonymous meetings but nothing for people living with depression.

“I had the idea of setting up the cafe, inspired by Ruby Wax and the work she does with mental health called Frazzled Cafes, which run in England and are available online.

“I felt we needed something a bit more Scottish and we deal with things with a bit of humour and something that reflected that – hence ‘Keep the Heid’.”