The homelessness charity will be sharing virtual messages from its homelessness, poverty and violence services during Mental Health Awareness Week (18 – 24 May) to encourage vulnerable people to check in with themselves and access any support they may need. 
 
The charity, which works with people who are homeless, in crisis and battling mental health, alcohol and substance issues, have seen a rise in demand for their services in recent weeks, and are currently supporting their service users through telephone and video appointments.  

Lynda Reid-Fowler, community services lead, said: “The current crisis has placed an enormous amount of strain on the mental health of many of the vulnerable people we are working with. Before this, many people who eere homeless, and dealing with crisis, violence and abuse, already lacked confidence and found dealing with everyday life exceptionally difficult – having to socially isolate has increased their detachment and made it more and more challenging for people to cope.

“Our homelessness, poverty, violence and abuse services are still operating remotely, and we would encourage anyone who feels they now need these services to get in touch with us - we are aware of the problems people are facing, and our support teams are doing everything they can to make sure people don’t feel alone during this time.”

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Aberdeen Cyrenians is holding a virtual Home Spa Night on May 22.

Bryony Shepherd, community and events fundraiser, added: “We’re now in our ninth week of lockdown, and it’s not been easy for many people – particularly those who are in challenging living situations and working tirelessly on the frontline. We know from chatting to our staff and service users that people are starting to get fatigued, and wanted to put on the virtual Home Spa Night for anyone who is feeling like they need some time to take a break and check-in with themselves.  

“We have some great local businesses helping us out with this – like Boozy Events – and local creatives and yogis pulling together content that will be shared on the night to help people relax.  

“At Aberdeen Cyrenians, we pride ourselves on being an open door and never a wrong door – we recognise that this is an extremely challenging time for everyone, and hope the Home Spa Night will provide some relief for our service users and others within our community.”

Aberdeen Cyrenians virtual Home Spa Night is taking place on May 22 at 7.30pm via Facebook.