New cafe opens in Fife town to help locals with their mental health

The café, which is based at Forth Hall (Leven Baptist Church) in Leven, is open to everyone over 16 – it’s a safe and friendly environment where you can pop-in and speak to people from all walks of life who have experienced their own mental health challenges, who will listen and talk and help people to access additional information and support if needed.

Nicky Connor, director of Fife Health & Social Care Partnership said: “I’m delighted to see another Sam’s café opening in Fife. It is so important that people can access the mental health support they need, when they need it. Sam’s cafes are unique in that they are run by peer support workers who have a lived experience and having that understanding of what people are going through really makes a difference. The new centre is welcoming and a great space to just pop in for a coffee and chat.”

Along with the café in Levenmouth, there are cafes in Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Burntisland.

Susan Neilson, Fife Services manager, Sam’s café, added: “Sam’s cafes are open to anyone who needs one to one support for mental health issues, crisis and suicidal thoughts. We’re open seven days a week, from 12pm to 8pm everyday across locations in Fife. You can drop-in anytime, it’s informal and you don’t need an appointment. Feedback from those using the café and our peer support workers has been really positive with many welcoming the safe space to pop in for a chat when they need to. Through the pandemic we have had to work a little differently by providing online and phone support – we’re all really looking forward to getting back to more face to face support and our doors are now open.

“It’s been real partnership working to get the Levenmouth café up and running and we thank Leven Baptist Church Minister Peter Foster, the Police and the community for making this happen. The Police also kindly donated some money which has helped to furnish the café.”

Ross Reilly, peer development practitioner, added: “Having gone through some mental health issues in the past, me and the other peer support workers bring a different perspective – we understand what people are going through, we don’t judge, there’s no stigma, we listen and provide the support, advice and the information needed. We want Fifers to know that we are here to help and if things feel overwhelming to come and talk to us.

Inspector Paul Gillespie and Sergeant Craig Fyall, Police Scotland, popped along to support the opening. Paul added: “In our roles we tend to be involved with people who reach a crisis point. Some people don’t always want or need clinical support and having a resource like Sam’s cafés across Fife means that we can support people better by getting them the right care they need at the right time and alleviating some of the pressures on the emergency services.”

For more information on locations, times, information and resources please visit www.samscafe.org.uk.