Hope Point marks first anniversary with special event
The team at Hope Point, Dundee Wellbeing Support based at Hillcrest’s South Ward Road facility, hosted a special anniversary event last Friday to mark its first year providing 24/7 support to people experiencing emotional distress.
Support at Hope Point is provided by peer practitioners from mental health charity, Penumbra. The service is a partnership between Penumbra and Dundee Health and Social Care partnership.
The team used the twelve month milestone to spotlight the range of support available in the building, including those delivered by Hillcrest Futures and Hillcrest Homes. In addition to mental health support, services include harm reduction and recovery programmes, community activities designed to combat social isolation, and financial support and advice.
The event featured a range of information stalls from various services and organisations, themed mocktails, games, music and a buffet.
From August 2023 to June 2024, Hope Point supported 1030 people, and a total of 4146 supports have been carried out via drop-in, phone and text.
Hillcrest Futures delivers harm reduction and recovery services from the same building. In 12 months, Hillcrest Futures supported 1248 individuals with harm reduction, recovery, reducing isolation and financial advice. In addition, the team supplied 950 naloxone kits to be used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opiate based overdose.
Penumbra’s Senior Service Manager Emma Wilson, said: “I think the main thing the figures are telling us, is how much this new service has been needed in the city and therefore the gap we are filling.
“Looking at feedback from people, what strikes us most (although not surprisingly) is the success of the peer model. People truly feel they’ve been met with compassion, and they feel valued and listened to. The accessible nature allows people experiencing a wide range of difficulties the opportunity to access support on their own terms.
We have worked hard at building partnerships and relationships with other agencies, and this allows a more seamless experience for people at the time they need it most. We thank all our partners for their continued support.”
Hillcrest Futures works closely with the other services based within the building including Penumbra, NHS Harm Reduction and Blood Borne Virus team and Dundee Drug & Alcohol Recovery Service.
Operations Manager at Hillcrest Futures, Danny Kelly said: “Our partnerships enable us to offer a wide range of compassionate support services. By combining the expertise of trained professionals and the invaluable insights of people with lived experience, we foster an inclusive and supportive environment that helps to break down barriers and promote recovery.”
An attendee of Hillcrest Futures’ Dundee Futures Project commented: “Services like these are a lifeline for people. The central location means it’s easy to get here no matter where you live in the city, and it offers a safe space to talk without fear of judgment.”
Councillor Ken Lynn, Depute Chair Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board said: “Opening Hope Point was a major milestone for the city, and a year on, it’s clear to see how important this is to people of Dundee.
“We are keen that people should feel able to reach out and get help for their mental health in just the same way they do for their physical health, that’s why it was vital that we have this facility in the city. There is Always Help. There is Always Hope.”
