Fife Curnie Clubs helping to support people with mental health issues this Christmas

Curnie Clubs support people who are socially isolated in the community, and help to develop their social skills and confidence with the aim to improve their quality of life.

Members also benefit from professional therapeutic group work that allows natural attributes, skills and abilities to emerge and be recognised.

The aim is they become self-sufficient and self-sustaining, achieving personal development through peer support and new-found friendships.

Elena Mayorga is a project support worker with the clubs and recognises that Christmas time can be challenging for people who suffer from mental health issues.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/our-journalists-editors-and-writers-reflect-turbulent-2020-3071580

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/changes-nhs-accident-and-emergency-services-all-you-need-know-winter-3071446

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/thornton-community-comes-together-help-people-need-3071784

She said: “When people need support, Curnie Clubs will be there. We aim to provide a haven that encourages social development and improves quality of life for people suffering from loneliness and who can sometimes lack social skills.

“Our professional therapeutic group work helps to allow natural attributes and abilities to emerge and be realised, creating self-sustaining individuals who go on to develop others with their peer support.”

Elena highlights the idea that everyone has a capacity cup, and when people begin to struggle, they run the risk of their cup overflowing.

“There is a limit to the amount of problems a person can deal with before their cup is overflowing and reaches capacity,” she adds. “Curnie clubs is seen as place where folk can declutter, destress, and find a mutual understanding with others in the same position.

“When it comes to Christmas the pressure of shopping, consumerism, and the gap felt by not having somebody around can lead to melancholy. People feel the loss which can trigger emotions of the past and pull people apart.

“Christmas is expected to be happy time with people we love, winter holidays, big meals, presents, but Curnie clubs is there for the those who feel they have a gap in this part of their lives.

"Everyone has felt the sting of the Covid quarantines, and the curnie club has always sought to be there with activities and arranging social gatherings over Facebook, WhatsApp, groups and one to one calls.”

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.