Veterans’ charity pulls out of town
Combat Stress says Ayr base‘no longer suitable’
A Veterans’ mental health charity is severing its links with Ayrshire after an association stretching back 35 years.
Combat Stress has today announced it is to move out of its treatment centre at Hollybush House, Ayr.
The organisation has claimed the facility is ‘no longer suitable’ for them to deliver modern services.
And in a telling admission, ‘limited access to public transport’ to Hollybush House and ‘extensive repairs’ to the building are also believed to be factors in the decision.
The charity provides specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues.
It is now moving to a new premises in Edinburgh to enable them to continue to treat as many veterans as possible.
Combat Stress will also open a smaller base in Glasgow and operate more than 20 community-based clinics across Scotland.
Jeff Harrison, interim chief executive officer at Combat Stress, today said: “We will be very sad to leave Hollybush House after 35 years.
“We’ve always had incredible support from the people of Ayr, as evidenced by the huge turnouts each year at our annual fete.
“It is Combat Stress’s aim to help as many veterans as possible with military trauma and we can best achieve this by relocating to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“Not only will it be easier for veterans to access our services because of the better transport links, but by modernising our services veterans will benefit from our specialist, cuttingedge support.”
The exact new location will be announced once negotiations are concluded, with the move taking place in the coming months.
The charity say the Edinburgh site will provide veterans with a more accessible location through its proximity to city centre public transport, as well as providing a modern, fit-for-purpose venue for the charity to deliver its treatment.
Services will include outpatient and residential treatment, art therapy, occupational therapy and peer support.
One insider said: “While Hollybush House has served the charity well for more than 30 years, the building is no longer suitable for Combat Stress to deliver its modern services.
“The limited access to public transport means that the location is not easily accessible for some veterans and has affected their ability to recruit enough specialist staff needed to provide the clinical treatment.
“In addition, extensive repairs need to be undertaken which require ongoing significant financial outlay.”
It’s understood that veterans currently being supported by Combat Stress will not have their treatment impacted by the move away from Hollybush House.
Mr Harrison added: “We are talking to our staff in Scotland about how this move will affect them and will do all we can to support them ahead of the move.”