Public Consultation Held – Read for updates!

Thank you to the 50 caring and concerned individuals who attended our recent Public Consultation on ‘Potential cuts and changes to Mental Health services in West Dunbartonshire’.

On June 12th 2026, Stepping Stones held an event to share the important updates our mental health services, we discussed the potential impact of service change, answered questions, and advised what our intentions and next steps are to secure the future of Stepping Stones Services. Please see below for updates that were shared:

• There are no budgets to the current financial year April 2026 -March 2027 MH budget for West Dunbartonshire. 76% of Stepping Stones running costs will be covered by the current Health & Social Care Partnership service level agreement (our current contract). Stepping Stones will use funds from elsewhere to deliver any additional work throughout the remainder of the financial year.

• Stepping Stones have been advised that the future West Dunbartonshire Health & Social Partnership award for mental health services will likely by a 5 year contract, and that they are unable (as of yet) to confirm what the timeline or budget for that will be. Stepping Stones hope for an uplift given the increased demand and rising costs of delivery, based on guidance from our partners Stepping Stones are considering what a redesigned model could look like with a budget reduction, a budget that remains the same, or a budget with additional income. Stepping Stones will endeavour to keep our members advised of what is happening in real time.

• Stepping Stones will have to tender for their next contract. This is a big change to how West Dunbartonshire previously selected it’s contracted mental health service provider. This is due to ethical commissioning policy, compliance with procurement regulations, and the councils own financial regulations and stand orders.

• Stepping Stones covered 5 scenarios from winning the bid and receiving an uplift, through to not securing the contract and being unable to secure funding elsewhere. The outcomes ranged from the redesign and investment in development of mental health services delivered by Stepping Stones, to the closure of the 35year trusted service provider.

Click to review a series of prepared ‘Questions & Answers‘ that were shared by Stepping Stones.

Stepping Stones then went on to explain our next steps…

• Gathering feedback – We are asking to hear your opinions on what MH services are needed, where the budget should be spent, your experience of Stepping Stones and any other information that you have that could help us identify priorities and be best placed to provide the support you believe is needed.
• Campaigning – We are proactively asking our community for support, we’ll be looking for funding support and community engagement that shows the need for our services and the value we bring to the community. We also intend to meet with any partners, organisations or local Councillours who may be able to provide us with support.
• A Working Group – We have a small group focusing on preparing for the tender, this includes our Trustees, Staff, Lived Experiences representatives and those with relevant skillsets for procurement processes.
• Tendering – WE WILL BE PUTTING IN A BID TO SECURE THAT 5 YEAR CONTRACT! We aim to pull together a strong, evidences based bid that shows we are the best placed provider to deliver your mental health services across West Dunbartonshire.

The event drew to a close with an open question and answer forum; members raised concerns over other recent closures of established services, concerns over the pressure on third sector organisations, concerns over the funding gap in West Dunbartonshire, concerns over the procurement processes and the lack of weight that time served delivery or our members lived experiences make to scoring, disappointment at the lack of attendance from HSCP and local Councillours at the event, and questions relating to the timing of the next mental health strategy and identifying priorities for funding. There was also a number of heartfelt messages of support for Stepping Stones, a genuine sense of community camaraderie and a unanimous desire to find a solution for our local mental health needs.

People left the consultation with the knowledge that change is coming, and the reassurance that Stepping Stones are taking steps to prepare for that change.

Additional actions that you can take now include: Completing the Consultation Survey to have your voice heard, contacting your local Councillor/MSP/MP if you have concerns over a change of provider next year, a change of service provision or potential budget cuts to mental health services, you can also support Stepping Stones by donating or fundraising to help cover cost of services.

Thank you again to those who attended, it was great to see local press and other organisations turn out, and thanks to those who have already completed the survey, we appreciate your support. If you have any further question then please contact us. Email: admin@stepstones.org.uk or call 0141 941 2929