The Hub
The Hub plays an important role in providing a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment where service users meet and participate in social activities that help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
The Hub can help service users to manage their own mental health and wellbeing, and work towards recovery. The Hub offers:
- Peer support and social activities
- Skills development in financial capabilities, IT and budgeting
- Physical health, e.g. walking group, healthy eating, smoking cessation and yoga
- Employability – pre-employment activities and volunteering
Additional support available includes:
- The Money, Benefits and Advice Service (Mental Health) partnered with Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau helps our service users with benefit applications and appeals, debt management and general advice. Our service users access support from the trained CAB worker by referral from the service manager or support worker.
The Hub supports people should they become unwell or distressed, whether they are at the Hub or at home. Every Hub service user can speak with the service manager, the support worker, or a trained support volunteer should they feel they are unwell or in distress. Most times talking can help service users manage their symptoms.
Should the service user continue to feel unwell while at the Hub, we will encourage individuals to use their safety plan and contact the person they need to. If a service user is unable to do this the service manager, support worker or volunteer would contact their GP for an emergency appointment and transport them to the medical centre, or to the Accident and Emergency Department in Larbert if required.
Referral Process
The Hub accepts referrals of people with complex and enduring mental illnesses. If you are 18 and over you can ask your GP, mental health nurse or any other professional you work with to refer you into the Hub.
Once we have received your referral, you will be contacted by the service manager and invited along to an initial assessment where you can find out a little more about the service.
The Hub runs Monday-Friday, via assigned staff- or volunteer-led groups.
Volunteering in the Hub
All volunteers are trained and supported by Action in Mind. All volunteers must have current membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme before they can begin volunteering within the Hub. We can arrange membership of the PVG Scheme.
Volunteering is typically during office hours, 9am-5pm, occasionally out of hours and at weekends.
There is no set time limit on how long anyone can volunteer at the Hub, however we usually request a minimum 12-month commitment.
Feedback from service users:
"I have found the Hub a really good place to socialise, talk to others about mental health problems regarding every day issues. I loved yoga and the keep fit classes at the Hub. Walks with volunteers were good and going to cinema an experience."
"The Hub was a great place for me as it's let me know I am not alone in my feelings. The activities helped keep all our minds off the problems we were having, & also having someone to talk to when I was feeling really low. Even at this time of the pandemic the staff have been there at the end of a phone when I am not feeling too great. I feel that I could not go on without the service they have given me over the last year. Thanks for all your help.”
“I am grateful for the love and care and support I have received through the Hub Service from AIM. The activities and peer support delivered through the service have helped me to maintain a daily routine, develop daily living skills and helps me manage my mental health. Through peer support we are able to listen to each other with compassion and understanding. We can share our lived experiences and give each other advice and guidance. With encouragement I have enjoyed going to the gym with the peer group and support from the volunteers at AIM. I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received through the Hub service to join and participate in outdoor and social activities. I have enjoyed spending time with my peer group going out for short walks, in the good and bad weather. We have been able to support each other going to the cinema and going to see a show. Without this support I would not have the self-confidence to go on my own. I would find it difficult to motivate myself to go out.”