Companas Cottage - Alness

Companas Cottage resource/drop-in centre offers support (including one-to-one) and information in a relaxed and friendly environment for anybody experiencing a mental health problem.

We have an Outreach Worker covering Easter Ross who offers support to individuals, sometimes in their own homes and at drop-in sessions providing a vital service, particularly in rural Easter Ross.

We run our own café in Companas, providing good food, offering people the opportunity to have a cooked meal or a snack - all reasonably priced. We provide volunteering opportunities for service users in our café and kitchen.

We also organise various activities including:

• Companas Calorie Crunchers
• Companas Cottage Walking Group - We have our own walking group and a small bank of outdoor clothing and backpacks for those who don't have their own.(See photos below from our walk up the River Averon gorge.) We are planning to hold our own wee health walks at least twice a week in the new year.
• Women’s group
• Relaxation classes
• Organised outings - Some of our service users, volunteers and staff recently enjoyed shopping trips to Elgin, Forres and Inverness. Others enjoyed bingo trips to Inverness.
• We have converted one of our rooms into a games room, with a new pool table and dart board

We have also joined forces with Ross & Cromarty Citizens Advice Bureau's Alness office to plug a gap in support for people suffering from mental health problems. We are keen to not only continue this service, but to extend it and offer even greater help to those people who are affected by both practical, social and emotional difficulties. Of course not every CAB client is affected by mental illness, and not every Companas service user needs practical advice from the CAB, but many do need help with both, and it makes sense for us to work together to help those people.

We accept referrals from health professionals and social work etc., but in general people refer themselves. You are welcome to pop in at any time during our opening hours although, if you wish, you can phone us to arrange an initial visit. When you first visit to have a look around you are welcome to bring a relative, friend or carer with you for support.

Our opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Our schedule of regular activities includes:

• Monday: available for group walks
• Tuesday: Alternating Tuesdays Bingo session/Crafts workshop from 2pm
• Wednesday: Kenny's quiz from 2pm
• Thursday: Relaxation class from 2pm
• Friday: available for group walks and day trips.

The Centre is on two levels so there is limited disabled access.
Our contact details:

83 High Street
Alness
Ross-shire
IV17 0SH
Tel: 01349 884566
Email: companas@supportinmindscotland.org.uk

Soroptomist-Easter Ross have kindly chosen Companas Cottage as their sponsored charity for financial year 2011/12.

Companas Cottage is funded by The Highland Council.