Work starts on a new Highlands and Island Residential Recovery Centre

Work has now started on a redevelopment that will increase residential rehabilitation capacity across the Highlands the Western and Northern Isles with an expected impact on the neighbouring area of Moray. This follows funding of £2.4 million secured by CrossReach in April 2023 via the Scottish Governments Rapid Residential Rehabilitation Capacity Program. A program set up as part of the Scottish Governments Drug Mission as a response to what was described as a national emergency.

CrossReach has been working with partners to agree a design and gain planning permission, with the assistance of CRGP Architects, for this exciting new Centre and earlier this year local contractor IBI were appointed to lead the build. 

This will become an additional sister service to the existing CrossReach centre at Beechwood House which has been operating since 2002 and serves to address the personal harms attributable to substance use in Highland, aiming to make a positive impact in the lives of each service user but also to reduce the high drug and alcohol related deaths across Scotland. The team anticipate being operational by December 2024 and will be looking to announce details of the referral processes and more information about potential admission dates later in the year.

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’.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said:

 ‘I’m very pleased to see the progress being made by Crossreach in expanding capacity at its Beechwood House centre. This will provide a capacity boost to the Highlands and Islands of up to 22 more placements a year.

As part of our £250 million National Mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of measures, including continuing to expand residential rehabilitation capacity. We have committed more than £38 million through our Capacity fund for the development of new and expanded facilities at eight projects across Scotland, including Beechwood House.

According to a recent PHS report, the upward trend in placements suggests that the Scottish Government is on track to hit its target of 1,000 people publicly funded to go to rehab by 2026.’