AN AWARD winning organisation in Dunoon, which helps to reduce local drug and alcohol related deaths, is now under threat after trustees were told they would need to find alternative premises.
The Addictions Recovery Cafe, (ARC), which has operated from a building known as The HUB, located on John Street, for the past two years, has been providing a special safe space for up to 40 people, suffering from addiction issues.
The HUB, is part of the building which is managed by Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis, (ABRC), and was opened in May, 2023, by Scottish Government Minister for Drugs and Alcohol policy, Elena Whitham, after a lengthy refurbishment from a former pharmacy to a modern stylish space.
Every Wednesday since then ARC have been operating from The HUB, but in October of last year members received a letter from ABRC informing them to vacate the premises by December 20 and after emergency discussions an extension was granted until the end of this month.
On Wednesday the ARC held their final session at The HUB and by Friday they had left the premises for good. A search for an alternative location is still ongoing but after viewing 12 premises there are only now two which might be suitable and organisers fear The ARC’s existence is now under serious threat.
A statement from the ARC’s trustees read: “Many of you will have probably walked past The HUB on the corner of Argyll Street and John Street and wondered what it provides.
“The ARC’s mission, to reduce d rug and alcohol related deaths by raising awareness and reducing stigma, has resonated deeply within our community. Our primary focus is to provide support, a safe space and create a non-judgemental welcome to people and their families affected by drugs and alcohol. Of course, homemade food is always popular too. Over time we have built trust and a therapeutic recovery community with many examples of recovery journeys and harm reduction measures that have helped and empowered people to change their lives.
We have fostered strong partnerships with local services, including the Lomond and Argyll Advocacy, Bute Advice, Housing, Alienergy, WithYou, NHS, Argyll and Bute Council, Food Bank, Carr Gomm, HELP, the Meeting Place and many more, to ensure our members receive comprehensive support.
“ARC was recognised by the Third Sector Interface, (TSI), being awarded
Argyll and Bute Volunteer Organisation of the year 2023 and we are proud that our Dunoon and Cowal community has also recognised and supported us through raising awareness, donations and fundraising.”
The statement added: “However, our existence is now under threat. Despite our best efforts to find alternative accommodation, to date, we have been unsuccessful, although we continue to explore all avenues.
“ARC is extremely aware of the impact this will have on the people who we support every week, who have been part of the recovery community that they have also helped to create.
“We will not survive without your help. We urgently need more Trustees and volunteers. Do you have any skills that would help us, experience with grant applications and monitoring, finances, volunteer support, record keeping, training and evaluation, social media, fundraising? Do you have premises we could use? If so, we would love to hear from you.
“Your support would mean the world to us and the people we serve. Let’s work together to save the ARC and ensure our recovery community is supportedandcancontinue to grow and impact many more lives.”
This newspaper reached out to ABRC for a statement regarding the decision which was taken last year for ARC to vacate their now former premises and we received the following statement from their board of directors: “We wish ARC all the very best in this next chapter and are sure they will have success in the search for a new and even better permanent base from which their service will flourish and grow. Meanwhile, the HUB service will continue to provide a range of support for people who use alcohol and drugs as well as family members and loved ones.”
If you feel you could help those at The ARC with their operational future then send them an email to arc. [email protected] or phone them on 07721799364 or text 07712870675 or contact them via their Facebook page: ARC Addictions Recovery Café
