A mental health charity has opened its doors to the people of Perth and Kinross at its new safe space in Perth city centre.
Having secured its Kinnoull Street premises, Lighthouse for Perth hosted an open day on Saturday to welcome people who wanted to learn more about its work.
The charity was set up by Tracy Swan following the death of her daughter Jodie McNab and helps people experiencing suicidal thoughts, self harm and any emotional distress.
The charity will also launch a helpline for people to call when they need support.
It will initially run three days a week but the charity aims to extend this to seven days and hopes to launch the helpline early next month.
Manager Sharon Thomas said: “The support [Perth and Kinross people] have thrown our way has been amazing.
“From 9am [on Saturday], people have been dropping off home baking – there are enough cakes for the whole of Perth.”
The open day allowed Lighthouse to introduce the community, individuals and local organisations to its services, welcome them to the new safe space and give an overview the services on offer.
The day allowed attendees to have informal chats with Lighthouse staff and volunteers over tea and coffee.
The charity also hosted a group of five pupils at Kinross High School who have chosen Lighthouse as their charity for the annual Youth Philanthropy Initiative.
Sharon has a range of experience in helping people with mental health concerns.
Holding a sociology and psychology degree, she has also been a volunteer youth worker at Kinross-based KYTHE, which aims to help young people with a range of needs.
She said: “We will provide support to those in crisis who need to speak to someone or need a safe space with the aim of keeping them safe at that point.
“Our volunteers trained in suicide prevention and mental health first aid will provide this service by telephone.”
Having founded Lighthouse, Tracy echoed Sharon’s gratitude to the people of Perthshire for their support, describing it as “overwhelming”.
She said: “We feel very humbled that there are so many people wanting to help.
“If it hadn’t been for the people of Perth and Kinross, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
The Lighthouse safe space is at 44 Kinnoull Street.
