writes Adam Harbinson
Hence, the HUB project has been driven forward by the main churches in the town and enthusiastically supported by the statutory agencies, voluntary agencies and the community.
The HUB has two strands of help for people with mental health issues. The ‘B Well Centre’, is a facility to signpost people to the appropriate organisations for support and advice, and HUB Counselling to provide a safe, local, caring, confidential and free counselling service.
[caption id="attachment_30717" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Down District Council Chairman Cllr Dermot Curran is pictured with the Reverend Mairisine Stanfield and local councillors and Simon Hamilton MLA at the launch on the HUB project in Ballynahinch."]
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Down District Citizens Advice will be working in partnership with the HUB to provide a wide range of advice on five main fronts; Debt, Benefits and Tax Credits, Employment, Housing, Relationships and Family.
At the official opening of the HUB in Ballynahinch on Thursday October 13th Rev Mairisine Stanfield, the minister of First Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church, pointed to a painting of the Battle of Ballynahinch in 1798 by Thomas Robinson that was donated to the town and hangs in the Market House. She described this new initiative as a new battle of Ballynahinch. She said, “This is our battle for the lives of our young people. These are difficult times, for with the increase in unemployment there is a sense of hopelessness and anxiety that can have fearful implications for our young people.”
Health Minister Edwin Poots was also in attendance and welcomed the launch of the new counselling initiative saying, “The causes of poor mental health, substance misuse, suicide and self-harm, as well as general well-being, are often societal and inter-related. We have to take a multi-sectoral, cross-Government approach to preventing and addressing these issues.
[caption id="attachment_30718" align="alignright" width="198" caption="Sandra Ogle, Down District CAB Manager, Sergeant Nigel Donnelly, Neighbourhood Policing, Health Minister Edwin Poots and Rev Mairisine Stanfield the launch of The Hub in Ballynahinch."]
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‘Research commissioned by my Department placed the cost of alcohol misuse alone to Northern Ireland at as much as £900 million every year. Therefore, preventing and addressing substance misuse is a key priority for my Department.”
The Minister added that the new programme was exactly the type of innovative service he is keen to support and promote across Northern Ireland.
He said, “It is clear to me that the holistic and cross-community approach being proposed for this new programme fits within our over-arching strategic framework for addressing these complex issues. It will help reach out to those who don’t engage with the health sector and it will help us all work together, in partnership, to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
Other speakers included Pat McGreevy, former Suicide Awareness Co-ordinator for South Eastern HSC Trust, Chris Totten, SET, Sandra Ogle, Manager of Down District Citizens Advice Bureau, Dermot Curran Chair of Down District Council, Rev Ivan Patterson Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, and Jim Shannon MP.
The HUB will be opening its doors from the week beginning the 24th October. The office can be reached at 028 97561100 for opening hours although it will be open all day Thursdays and Saturday mornings to begin with.
Citizens Advice will operate on an appointment only basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am – 3.30pm at 50 Windmill Street. Phone 028 4461 4110 or drop in to arrange an appointment.
[caption id="attachment_30719" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Church leaders in Ballynahinch have backed the setting up of The Hub."]
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