Residents at Engage Muirshiel plant time capsule to mark 100 years
31st July 2023
Residents, staff and supporters of Engage Muirshiel, a care at home and housing support service in Priesthill, have created a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now as part of centenary celebrations for SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).
Engage Muirshiel supports people experiencing poor mental health and homelessness or addiction who are committed to their recovery to successfully reintegrate into community living. The service is run by SAMH, which is marking 100 years of supporting Scotland’s mental health.
During a garden party held to celebrate the centenary, the team and residents at Engage Muirshiel packed a special box with colourful words of wisdom from residents, a cluster of decorated stones and a front page torn from the day’s newspaper.
One note, written by Sophie, a current resident, said: “This 100 years has been interesting. However the future is brill, enjoy and live in the moment. All the best from 2023.”
The time capsule is now safely buried in the SAMH garden, where staff plan to plant a commemorative plaque with a note inviting future residents to open it in 2123.
Engage Muirshiel offers tailored care-at-home assistance to people in their own homes, and provides housing support through eight on-site flats, acting as a ‘stepping stone’ for people not quite ready for their own tenancy.
The team supports people to improve and maintain their mental health, while providing practical assistance with things such as budgeting, maintaining a home, and personal care. Support is tailored depending on what people need, which can vary from suicide interventions to help with the weekly shop, but always focuses on the end goal of helping people to build confidence and create sustainable habits before they move on to their own tenancies.
Sophie, who has stayed at the service for four-and-a-half months, said: “My confidence has grown, my skills have grown. For example, in the first month I barely went out, just with staff, but now I’m going out independently.
“My mental health has improved – I’m having a lot less ‘blips’ since I first moved in. I have more hope that I’m able to achieve things now and more confidence in the future.”
Terry Morris, a Support Worker at Engage Muirshiel who has worked in SAMH services for 18 years, said: “Today’s centenary garden event was very memorable, it was a pleasure to be part of the event and celebrating our monumental achievement of 100 years.
“Seeing all the smiles from staff and service users has made me cherish my services and commitment to a wonderful organisation.”
Service users must be referred to Engage Muirshiel through Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership, but anyone with questions about mental health services available in their area, or about mental health in general, is encouraged to contact the SAMH Information Service. The team are available 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday, on 0344 800 0550 or at info@samh.org.uk.
For more information on how to get involved in the SAMH centenary, visit samh.org.uk/centenary.
