A member of our staff at our Discovery College is going to great lengths to support our vital mental health service in the Highlands.
Jamie Bird is taking on the challenge of walking around 105 miles from Wick to Inverness to raise awareness and funds for Centred Scotland’s pioneering Discovery College.
He aims to complete the marathon in four days, covering around 26 miles per day.
The Discovery College
Jamie is a peer support mentor at the Discovery College, our free service that operates in Inverness and Wick offering face-to-face drop-in support for people with mental ill-health, substance abuse or addition issues, without the need for a GP referral or appointment.
The college, the first of its kind in the Highlands, helps individuals before they reach crisis point and offers repeated sessions without time limit to help them towards mental wellbeing.
Jamie, Peer Support Mentor
There was a time when, due to loneliness, isolation and lack of confidence, Jamie couldn’t go outside without being escorted.
After joining a historical re-enactment group, he regained confidence by mixing with people from all walks of life.
Now, as a peer support mentor, he has co-developed a support network of people who use lived experience to support others in the Highlands.
For many people across the Highlands, having someone there to listen, support and guide them can make all the difference.
That’s why the work of Discovery College matters so much to me. It supports over 140 visits every week across the Highlands, offering hope, connection and practical support when it’s needed most.
I’ve seen firsthand how important this support can be. I’ve seen people rebuild confidence, reconnect with others and begin to believe in themselves again.
These services are free, accessible and genuinely life-changing, but they can only continue with support from people and organisations in our communities.”
Jamie Bird
Peer Support Mentor at The Discovery CollegeThe Challenge
Jamie will begin his marathon challenge at 8am on Wednesday July 1 from outside the Discovery College in Wick.
Passing through Lybster, he will be joined by collaborative partner Waterlines Museum while a pop-up Discovery College information hub will be located on route.
His journey will take him via Helmsdale, Brora and Golspie where a second pop-up Discovery College information stand will be held.
During his journey, Jamie will connect with collaborative partners and others who support the Discovery College and there will be opportunities to find out more about the work that Discovery College does across Highland and about Peer Support in general.
Jamie will then walk to Centred’s support service in Invergordon, where an information hub will be available, before he makes the final push to the Discovery College at the Eastgate Centre in Inverness.
Could you help support mental health in the Highlands by donating to Jamie’s challenge?