Grub’s Up reveals plans to plug service gaps
Recovery cafe determined to keep people well in new premises
GRUB’S Up recovery cafe has outlined ambitious plans to relocate to new premises which it hopes will include a separate area for recovery groups, workshops and training.
The group is looking to renovate a vacant building and bring new jobs to Mid Argyll, with the new space being used seven days a week to benefit the most vulnerable.
Grub’s Up is a cafe where a nutritious meal, home baking, coffee and tea are available to all visitors in exchange for a donation of £4. The meal is made by those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
The new plans include an area for the recovery cafe, as well as a room to allow complete confidentiality, which group leaders hope will enable and maintain wellbeing.
Gill Hutton, from the cafe, said: ‘We currently use our local parish church and, although these premises are okay to run a café, they are not suitable for our purposes long-term.
‘We need a separate area to run our recovery groups, education/ workshops and training, and for people to take full advantage of services.
‘We work closely with the Oasis and CADAS recovery groups, and intend to bring the three groups together for weekly outings and activities.’
The new vision has come to life after the group recognised several gaps in statutory health services where those suffering from addiction could not get the help they needed.
Gill continued: ‘With all the cuts being made, we feel we must make people more aware and responsible for their own care. We have recognised several gaps in services and this new enterprise will fill these voids in Argyll.
‘We intend this building to be a community area where people can drop in as they please. It is essential we keep people well, as well as directing them onto statutory services when they need it.’
The new premises will be open at weekends and in the evenings to help those who work during the day.
However, the group is up against the odds as health care cuts mean it has no support from statutory local agencies.
‘The group is in a constant level of uncertainty,’ Gill explained. ‘We have had financial support from the Health and Wellbeing Network and Third Sector Fund. However, to date, we have had no help from our local Alcohol and Drug Partnership.
‘We haven’t even been informed when the funding applications are due.’
The work that Grub’s Up and its fellow community groups do is deemed essential for those who feel there is no way out from addicition to drugs and alcohol.
Gill says she cannot understand why the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) focuses on early intervention and prevention if it does not invest in community groups.
She said: ‘The HSCP strategic plan recognises early intervention and prevention as areas to concentrate on, but it is also important people are enabled to maintain their wellbeing.
‘We shouldn’t only focus on crisis.
‘If the emphasis is on more communitybased care, surely the partnership needs to invest in communitybased projects.'
Grub’s Up recovery cafe takes place three Fridays a month at Lochgilphead Parish Church hall. For more information on the group, visit the Grub’s Up Facebook group.