Moderator visits Beechwood House and New Highlands and Islands Residential Recovery Centre

Staff and residents from Beechwood House provided an insightful and memorable visit for the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson.

Plenty of time was spent chatting and reflecting on the challenges being faced, the work being done and most importantly the many powerful stories of hope, of change and of lives being transformed.

One Beechwood resident told him he had been in Beechwood House for two weeks after quitting alcohol and drugs and already felt “brand new”.

Another resident who has since trained as a volunteer supporter said she was now “clean and serene” thanks to the support she had received at Beechwood House.

“If you are in here, you have got to work the programme,” she said.

The Moderator was shown around the new Highlands and Islands Residential Recovery Centre next to the existing facility which will welcome its first residents before the end of the year.

Funded by a £2.4 million award via the Scottish Government’s Rapid Residential Rehabilitation Recovery Program, this will extend Beechwood’s addiction recovery support across the North of Scotland from Moray to the Western Isles, as well as Orkney and Shetland, CrossReach is now actively recruiting to fill the staff vacancies in the new unit.

After touring the facility, Dr Paterson said: “I am more than impressed, I am enthused. They do a fantastic job here.”

“It really is truly remarkable, hearing the stories of the people who have been through the service. One chap reconnected with his son after coming to Beechwood House and another was able to reconnect with his grandson. Lives are being changed and not just the lives of the residents. I can’t be enthusiastic enough.”

Commenting on the development, Carol Brackenridge, Head of Substance Use for CrossReach said:

‘This has been a great project to be part of and the support from local commissioners, the Scottish Government and our design partners show the commitment to addressing Substance Use Harms and supporting people to find the lives and recovery they are seeking. 

We will be working to ensure the Centre offers a robust evidence-based program that meets the need of those it serves as well as recruiting a strong team. We would be very welcoming of the support of those with Lived and Living Experience within the team and are currently working with a LLE refence group, who have all graduated through the CrossReach volunteer program, to ensure the LLE voice has a strong input into the development and recruitment needed.’

Vic Walker, Adult Care Director at CrossReach adds:

‘Our new facility will help to reduce the time people are waiting to get the support they need. When people come forward for help it is vital that we respond quickly. Residential rehabilitation can make a huge difference for a person struggling with alcohol or drug use, for their families and for communities. Swifter access to services saves lives, and people who complete residential rehabilitation often go on to be a positive influence in their communities’.