Milestone bash for group
Mental health backing
A mental health support group celebrated 40 years in East Kilbride with a unique tartan to help raise awareness.
The Support in Mind Scotland East Kilbride branch was founded by its current chair, 83-yearold Elinor Gardiner, after her then 17-year-old daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The group, which aims to eliminate isolation and encourage integration into the community, meets every second Tuesday of the month in the Village Centre.
It offers support to anyone aged 16 and over with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and their carers.
Members held a special 40th anniversary party in East Kilbride’s Torrance Hotel and also hope to raffle a tie and scarf in the official tartan of Support in Mind Scotland at their Christmas lunch.
The charity’s HQ in Edinburgh specially commissioned the design.
Elinor from Hairmyres told the News: “When I founded the group 40 years ago there was nothing like it. I became involved with the National Schizophrenic Fellowship through my daughter.
“It was based in London with meetings in Glasgow but there was nothing closer to home.
“The East Kilbride group relies solely on fundraising and donations locally although we do receive a small grant from the council and have the support of various groups in the town.
“As well as our monthly meetings we have numerous outings and trips which members would otherwise not be able to enjoy such as theatre shows or historical sites.”
Anyone looking to find out more, or become involved with the East Kilbride group, can contact (01355) 523560 or 236843.