A LIFESAVING Inverclyde service which supports people experiencing emotional trauma has been rescued from the brink of closure thanks to a huge cash boost of more than £400,000.

Safe Harbour has received £426,000 from the National Lottery which will allow chief executive Duncan Shaw and the team continue to save lives across Inverclyde.

Their last funding dated back to 2015 and over the last four months Duncan and the team had been using their reserves to keep operating.

They feared the vital service would have to shut down.

Duncan says to receive such a significant amount of money in what he describes as the 'harshest of financial, social and human climates in a generation' is a crucial development.

He said: "This is an amazing amount of money and it's a huge deal for us.

"At the start of the year, we were on the cusp of planning for closure.

"We had stretched the funding as far as it could go and we were onto our reserves.

"It costs around £160,000 to keep Safe Harbour operating for a year, so this money is vital.

"The National Lottery have been exceptional - they took a chance on our programme and they can see that it's made a difference.

"They've seen the evidence and the fruits of it and have learned how people thrive beyond their time with us."

The service provides critical emotional support to people who are dealing with a range of problems.

Duncan has designed a unique programme which encourages people to talk about what they're going through and analyse their thought processes.

He builds up relationships with clients over the phone for weeks before in-person meetings start and the programme is tailored to each individual's needs.

During last year's lockdown, the team at the Newton Street service saved the lives of 12 people in just six months, as there was a marked increase in the number of people struggling to cope.

The team operated throughout the restrictions, adapting and improvising to help high risk clients who were in danger, and providing almost 200 food parcels to people in need.

Duncan says he's now working with third sector umbrella group CVS Inverclyde and will soon meet the health and social care partnership to consider the best way to support as many people as possible when they are at their lowest ebb.

He told the Telegraph: "Part of Greenock holds the unenviable position of the most deprived area in Scotland, according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation report 2020.

"People need to recognise and embrace positive and innovative services being delivered in the harshest of environments, which support the whole community.

"We want to build positive partnerships moving forward.

"We're trying to do good things and support good people who are going through dark times and need some help."

Dr Craig Speirs advises Duncan and the team from a medical perspective and helps to decide on best way forward for clients.

He has known Duncan for many years and says he has helped to completely transform the service over the last five years.

Dr Speirs, who is Safe Harbour's current chairman, said: "The team deal with some extremely difficult clinical and emotional situations.

"We're there for people who have been to see their GP, psychiatrist and have accessed other NHS services but who are still not achieving a way of life that's beneficial for them.

"Safe Harbour is the last stop for people who have exhausted all other options."

Inverclyde musician Shelagh Mackay Jones was supported by Safe Harbour from 2017 until 2019.

She said: "Safe Harbour totally turned by life around.

"I was driving to Lunderston Bay in the middle of the night and realised I had to get help.

"The programme is fantastic.

"It's Inverclyde's best kept secret."

STAYING AFLOAT: Safe Harbour CEO Duncan Shaw, former client Shelagh Mackay Jones, sessional worker Helen McHugh, client committee member Jodie McPherson, treasurer Wendy McCallion and Dr Craig Speirs.