Social outreach Space to talk Louise Parfitt hears about a service, run from a car park, that is helping people in need e were struck by the looming mental health crisis after the lockdowns and wanted to help in some way. Tammy Docherty is site pastor at the Catalyst Vineyard Church in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Each Saturday morning during the summer of 2021, the church ran a trial outreach service from a local car park. The idea came from a church in Carlisle, which had pioneered a similar project after tragedy in their town, says Docherty. They wanted to make space for people to talk, pray if they wished, and feel supported. The team chose a car park in Ellon that is close to the town and on a walking route. It also has benches that offer a quiet place for people to sit down and chat. They called it Space to talk and put out signs so people would know it was there. Often, people would just smile and walk on, but every so often someone would come and pour their heart out, Docherty says. We soon realised that there were people who didnt have anyone to whom they could talk. We listen, we offer comfort and, if necessary, we signpost to professional help. W Keeping it going After the trial, the team assessed the need they had seen and decided to continue Space to talk on a monthly basis. Again, Aberdeenshire Councils parking team supported them with free parking and a change of location: parking officer Lorna Hogg suggested they move to a car park close to the river. I suggested this location because Shirley has met people there before who have been in need of such a service, Hogg explains. It is a super initiative, and we are keen to do all we can to support it. The Space to talk team are now available on the last Saturday morning of the month to offer a non-judgemental ear, a friendly smile, and emotional support to anyone who needs it. We know theres a mental health crisis on our hands and we know that listening helps, Docherty says. Its a small thing, but it seems to be engaging people, so we aim to continue and, thanks to the parking team, we can. The BPAs guide to suicide prevention in car parks can be downloaded from britishparking.co.uk/resource-library The Samaritans can be contacted for free at any time on 116 123. Often, people would just smile and walk on, but every so often someone would come and pour their heart out Parking support The team at Catalyst Vineyard Church were given free parking during the trial after speaking to one of the local car park operatives, Shirley Cruickshank. She spoke to her manager at Aberdeenshire Council and a message was added to operatives handheld devices to alert them to when the scheme was running, so volunteers vehicles would be exempt from charges. Shirley has been exceptionally supportive and kind, says Docherty. We are all volunteers, so the free parking has really helped to facilitate the work of the project. 19 PN Nov 2022 pp18-19 Space to talk.indd 19 26/10/2022 16:27