AFTER a year in which Scotland recorded its highest number of drug-related deaths since records began, and more than 1,100 people died from alcohol-specific causes, helping people tackle addiction has never been so important.

In a new low for the country’s health crisis, Scotland had the most drug-related deaths in Europe in 2018, while nine people - more than double the figure from 2008 - died as a result of drug use in Argyll and Bute last year.

In Helensburgh, the town’s first recovery cafe is celebrating its third anniversary on Thursday, September 26 and it has continued to play a vital role in the community during the past 12 months.

Welcome In was launched in 2016 and is open for members of the public to drop-in to the weekly hub and receive support from community volunteers.

Many of the volunteers have come through the recovery route themselves and although the group is not a professional service as such, it is well used by those seeking advice.

READ MORE: Argyll and Bute drug deaths more than double in 11 years

The group’s chair, Fiona Lockhart, said she is pleased to see the organisation’s impact after a brief period of uncertainty last year.

She said: “We aim to provide a safe and welcoming space for people in recovery from alcohol and drug misuse, mental health issues, loneliness or anything that has created a barrier to inclusion in society.

“By the summer of 2018, the cafe was struggling with its running costs whilst the number of volunteers had dwindled due to the successes of cafe friends and volunteers moving onto employment and education.

“However, following a well-needed summer break the cafe was rebooted and bounced back with new funding and a recruitment drive.

“New volunteers from the community brought fresh ideas and enthusiasm and training of the second tranche of volunteers is now well underway. New volunteers are always welcome.

“We are not a service, so we do not have clients and we are not professionals, but we can signpost people to agencies.”

The Welcome In weekly cafe has an open door policy and earlier this year secured funding from Argyll and Bute Council to organise trips and visits, while there is also a regular gardening club and a weekly quiz, with new activities and services on the cards.

Around 15 to 20 people attend each week and many take part in recovery walks, which Fiona says have proved to be “very positive and inspiring experiences” for those taking part.

READ MORE: Helensburgh and Lomond addiction recovery project launched

She said: “The cafe can link people who have just started out on their recovery journey with those who have turned their lives around and can inspire and guide.

“Peer support is a vital part of the ethos of recovery communities. The cafe provides a route for cafe friends to become volunteers themselves along with access to training opportunities which may lead to future employment.

“The first trip was to the Hill House, which many of the cafe friends had never visited before and it was a great success.”

Welcome In's sister organisation, a family support group, also helps relatives of those affected by addiction.

Fiona explained: “It’s doing some fantastic work and we have some people from the cafe who have come to us through them and vice versa.

“The family support group really helps people deal with someone in the family having an addiction. It can be devastating for all concerned. There is a lot of denial of problems and also blame.

“A testimony from one of our volunteers said that the cafe has been a great support to them over the last 15 months and they’ve rebuilt their confidence and trust as they didn’t know who to ask for help with their family member battling with drug addiction.”

The cafe has been described as an important starting point for anyone looking for help and over the next 12 months and beyond, Fiona says the hope is to develop stronger links with other services to encourage more people to visit.

An afternoon tea party will be held in the main hall of Helensburgh Parish Church on Thursday at 12pm. All are welcome.

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