A “PAY what you can” counselling service has found a new home in Paisley.

It comes after we previously reported Jamie Kinlochan started the service earlier this year.

Originally, the kind-hearted man was doing sessions online, however, he has now revealed the service will be based at the Tannahill Centre in the town.

The service, which aims to cut the amount of time that people wait to get mental health support, will take a “pay what you can approach”.

Announcing its new home, Jamie said it’s also in response to the “long waiting lists and the high costs for private therapy.”

Jamie, who is a trained counsellor and psychotherapist, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2021 New Year’s Honours for his experience in building community support services.

Bobbie McCabe, Volunteer Coordinator at The Tannahill Centre, said: “We’re always thinking about ways we can support initiatives that help the community thrive.

"We’ve got a strong track record of innovation at the Tannahill Centre and this latest partnership is another example of our determination to find solutions to the challenges that people face.

“We hear time and again from the community about how much they want but can’t find accessible mental health support.

"So, when we heard that Jamie was taking a new approach, and wanted to bring mental health support closer to home, it felt right to do what we could.” 

Jamie Kinlochan added: “This is about doing our bit to make sure that everyone —regardless of where we live or who we are—can access the care we need.

"It’s one thing to tell each other that we should reach out to talk and that it is okay not to be okay.

"It is another thing to put the right support in place so that there is someone to listen when we need it.

"This is a community-focused mental health support that is about helping everyone reach their full potential.

“Our lives have been turned upside down in the last few years, in ways that we are just starting to understand.

"A critical part of moving towards the healthier, and stronger society that we deserve is by creating spaces like the one we have in the Tannahill Centre.

“We shouldn’t accept four-month waiting lists, expensive private therapy, charitable provision or artificial intelligence chatbots as the norm.

"In the longer term, we need to reorganise and invest in systems to ensure all people can get the support that they need.

"We can, and should, change things so that this kind of support is publicly funded and available through the NHS.”