Loss of funding threatens depression support group

A DEPRESSION support group which has worked with hundreds of women battling the illness is facing closure.

Pink Ladies, which is based in Midlothian, will run out of funding in June, with no sign of any extra money coming in.

While the team behind the voluntary group has visions of extending the service across Scotland, the financial situation will see the group wound up in the summer unless significant funding can be found.

The set-up is currently supported by the Scottish Government's Long-Term Conditions Alliance but requires around 80,000 to keep running for another year.

There are fears the mental health of the women it has helped over the last couple of years could suffer if the organisation is not around to support them.

Pink Ladies is so popular it has a rolling waiting list of around 20, while GPs and psychiatric services within NHS Lothian are quick to recommend its work to patients.

Co-founder Sheila Peaston said: "The problem is all these groups are only too happy to use our services, but when it comes to getting money in it's a different story.

"We've been lucky to get free premises to work from and that gives us a base, which is great. But even the utility bills are crippling."

One problem in terms of exploring funding is the group's lack of charitable status. It is currently going through the laborious process of getting approval from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, which should mean it can apply for more grants.

"Ultimately we want to be expanding out of Midlothian into Edinburgh and the rest of the Lothians, and even Scotland," she said.

"But we can't do that without the finance, and we have to keep momentum.

"All the health services we work with say we bridge the gap for them, and patients have told us if they didn't have us, they would have nothing.

"If we had to stop in June we'd lose momentum and that would be it."

Pink Ladies is a victim of its own success. Its unique approach, delivered in a non clinical setting to relax service-users, is extremely popular.

It is designed to assist women over the age of 50 who have been diagnosed with depression, whether it has been brought on by bereavement or substance abuse.

But with no funding, the organisation cannot continue to work on its already tiny budget, despite the fact it saves both the NHS and local councils money in reducing readmissions and appointments.

One health worker in the area, who refers clients to Pink Ladies, said: "My clients have all reported that they find the groups welcoming and relaxing and a place where they feel comfortable attending as there is no set agenda as such and does not remind them of a school classroom environment, which many fear."