The coronavirus pandemic has seen North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Community Link Workers delivering new activities to support people across our communities.

As well assisting in the community hubs in each locality, which have been providing advice and services such as food and prescription deliveries to isolating people, some members of the team are now also delivering a mental health improvement course to key partnership staff, with the longer term aim being to offer this service to groups in the community.

Community Link Workers Leeanne Killen and Ainsley Leck delivered their first ‘Mental Health Improvement – A Practical Approach’ workshop recently to colleagues at the Dirrans Centre rehabilitation facility in Kilwinning.

The session provided information, skills and simple self-help tools that enable participants to manage their own mental well-being, build personal resilience and cope better in times of stress, anxiety or low mood.

The team also recently ran a successful ‘Happy Hour’ campaign on Facebook, where they posted daily self-help ideas, upbeat messages and fun, family activities to bring some positivity.

Councillor Robert Foster, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This type of one on one support can give patients control over their own health and well-being, offering support and practical advice that can make a real difference in their lives.

“It can also help to reduce feelings of social isolation.”