Construction of mental wellbeing centre under way

Construction has started on a £3.2 million mental wellbeing centre in Aberdeen.

The new 20-bed residential facility, Abergeldie House, on Holburn Street, will support adults with a range of mental health illnesses on their journey to recovery.

Work had been due to get under way earlier this year, before being sidelined due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

City social care charity VSA, which will run the centre, said construction has finally begun.

VSA chief executive Kenneth Simpson highlighted the importance of the new facility amid the “profound effect” the pandemic is having on mental wellbeing.

He said: “This is undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods any of us have had to face, but for many people already living with a mental health condition it is starting to have a profound effect.”

The charity hopes to have the centre open later this year, but needs the help of people in the north-east to reach its remaining fundraising target of £500,000.

Director of external relations at VSA, Jennifer Mitchell said: “Now more than ever we need your support.

“This is a really difficult time for many households and businesses, but if people can step forward to make a donation or fundraise in aid of VSA it would be fantastic.”

The new unit will support people using one of VSA’s highly regarded mental health support techniques, known as the recovery model, empowering the individual to take control of their lives and understand how to live with their condition.

To make a donation visit giving.vsa.org.uk

Photograph by Scott Baxter BUILDING HOPE: Work is under way on a new residential mental wellbeing centre on Holburn Street, Aberdeen.