Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson will join supporters of Beechwood House recovery centre at a prayer vigil for the closure-threatened centre this weekend.

For several months, Mr Thompson has led the fight to save a facility for people struggling to cope with the impact of an addiction to alcohol or drugs, known as a designated place or DP, and who find themselves in a crisis situation.

Earlier this year Beechwood's DP attracted praise from senior inspectors, who said the facility was an example to the rest of the country, but CrossReach, the Church of Scotland charity which runs Beechwood, said it had little choice but to close the unit following the removal of £200,000 of its funding from Highland Council's social work department.

The final recommendation on the future of the facility will be made following a meeting of the strategic group of the Highlands and Islands Alcohol and Drug Partnership next Tuesday (12th) and Mr Thompson has been at the forefront of calls for the future of the centre to be placed on a more secure footing.

"Beechwood provides a safe first step back towards normal society for people whose lives had previously been too chaotic to allow them to start a recovery," Mr Thompson said.

"Each year more than 900 people are referred to the DP by doctors, social workers and other agencies, such as the police, because Beechwood is a safe and supervised bridge whatever problems they are having and a normal life."

Mr Thompson, a committed member of the Church of Scotland, added: "We must not lose this facility, just as it is being highlighted as an example to the rest of Scotland, and that is why I am delighted to take part in this weekend's Prayer Session at Inshes Church."

Notes:

Beechwood is operated by the Church of Scotland's CrossReach community action charity.

This weekend's prayer meeting will be held at Inshes Church from 3pm until 5pm. All friends of Beechwood are welcome.