Stepping Stones to hold Public Consultation on West Dunbartonshire Mental Health Services

As a member led organisation Stepping Stones believe that it is vitally important to be transparent with the people of West Dunbartonshire, we are facing some challenging circumstances and believe it is important to consult our community on our next steps forward.

It is no secret that the need for mental health support is increasing, people are struggling, NHS services have been cut and the waiting lists for help are growing. Stepping Stones are aware that due to the country wide budget cuts there could be reductions to funding for mental health services over the years to come; this would impact not only existing members of the services but those who need help in the future.

The impact of reducing current funding could be catastrophic to Stepping Stones, with services potentially being significantly reduced, job loses, and an immeasurable decline of people’s mental health. This worrying news follows on from recent cuts in other local health and social care funded contracts, where longstanding West Dunbartonshire services have now come to an end. In keeping with our member led constitution and values, we believe that people should be given the opportunity to discuss mental health services in a public forum. Stepping stones invite syou to do just that!

Quote from our Chief Officer

Chief Officer, Bronwyn O’Riordan, and the proactive Trustees and Members at Stepping Stones are taking a very vocal stance on campaigning for funding and asking the local council to continue to fund the work of this well-established organisation to continue to deliver the mental health support needed by our community. Bronwyn shared that:

Stepping Stones has never been needed more, I am incredibly proud of the work and outcomes delivered by our amazing team, and I know that our organisation will do everything it can to achieve a better future for people with mental health issues. Budget cuts to such a vital service, is in my opinion a disgrace, our community deserve better and I genuinely hope to see the local council continue their commitment and support of Stepping Stones. The reality is that if the cuts are as deep as anticipated, and should the next commissioned service contract not be awarded to Stepping Stones then we would struggle to keep our doors open, and West Dunbartonshire could lose a provider who has supported tens of thousands of people over the last 35 years

Bronwyn O’Riordan – Stepping stones Chief Officer

Your invitation to our Public Consultation

With the uncertainty of future of mental health services funding, the next step for Stepping Stones is to call a public consultation and invite the WDHSCP, Councillors and stakeholders to help address these concerns. Stepping Stones members and West Dunbartonshire residents are encouraged to attend this event on Friday June 12^th, 1:30pm at the Waterfront Parish Church, Clydebank, for an update on the impact of budget cuts on local service provision, a chance to have your voice heard and an opportunity to help shape future service provision.

Please book your place to attend by contacting Admin@stepstones.org.uk or calling 0141 941 2929

If you are unable to attend then you are still able to have your voice and opinions heard. You can complete Stepping Stones Consultation on MH Services survey, this should take no more than 5 minutes of your time, and we value your feedback.

Our Commitment

Please be assured that Stepping Stones will continue to include you and your views as we proactively campaign over the coming months. We aim to secure further mental health funding, use lived experience to shape the improvements in service provision, and secure a more positive future for our beloved organisation and the people we support.