Ewen’s Room steps up online
Since cancelling all face-to-face sessions on March 16, Strontian-based charity Ewen’s Room has been providing emotional support to those affected by the lockdown on top of other ongoing challenges of ‘normal’ life.
Ewen’s Room is now offering several forms of help and support:
EwenMe is a new ‘telephone friend’ calling service launched by Ewen’s Room to combat the effects of social distancing and isolation under lockdown. EwenMe will do its best to match anyone who requests, or is referred to the service, with one of their friendly volunteers who has similar interests. A Gaelic speaking volunteer will be happy to chat in that language. Anyone interested in making use of this service should call 01967 750845 or fill in a form at www. ewensroom.com/ewenme.
Ewen’s Room Helpline - Freephone 0800 689 3317. Monday to Friday: 5pm to 10pm. Saturday and Sunday: noon to 10pm.
The charity has been successful in attracting more Comic Relief funding and several new volunteers have been recruited and trained over the last few months.
Ewen’s Zoom get-togethers.
While the weekly drop-ins are on hold, it is hosting online meetings by Zoom video conferencing for established groups in Acharacle
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Virtual
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Doors and Strontian. Anyone wishing to get involved should call 01967 401130 or email info@ewensroom.com.
Young Persons’ Counselling Service – Ardnamurchan and Mallaig high schools. Since March 2019, a qualified counsellor has helped 20 young people over 90 weekly individual consultations. When schools closed, Ewen’s Room set up resources in collaboration with the schools so the service could continue online. This is being extended to pupils of other high schools in Lochaber.
Online Workshops - Volunteer co-ordinator Hugh Asher presented ‘An Introduction to Mental Health First Aid’ over two sessions on June 9 and 16. To register interest in future sessions go to www.facebook.com/EwensRoom or email hugh@ewensroom.com.
These responses to help counter the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been made possible through grants and donations from Lund Trust – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, Sunart Community Council, the Highland Council and the family and friends of Callan McClymont. Further information on all the initiatives can be found on www.ewensroom.com.
The Ewen’s Room team is also grateful for the other grants and generous donations given by organisations and individuals over recent years.