Mull Safe & Sound Peer Support Group

Mull Safe and Sound is an independent, peer-led mental health and social support group established in September 2016. Based at An Roth Community Enterprise Centre in Craignure, the group was created to offer a “safe, nurturing environment” for adults on the Isle of Mull who may feel vulnerable or socially isolated. Operating under the guiding principle of being “for the community by the community,” it remains a grassroots initiative that provides a non-clinical space for people to connect through shared lived experiences rather than professional medical intervention.

The group serves a remarkably broad demographic, with active members ranging in age from their 20s to their 90s. Their primary focus is on fostering “informal social connection” to combat the unique challenges of rural isolation. This is achieved through regular drop-in sessions and “Coffee & Chat” meetings where visitors and locals are welcome to drop in without a referral. During the pandemic, the group demonstrated its resilience by transitioning to virtual support via Skype and Zoom and coordinating with the postal service to distribute wellness leaflets and contact information for national support lines like the Samaritans. They continually evolve their services to meet local needs, which has included launching dedicated spaces like a men’s support group to encourage more targeted conversations around mental wellbeing.

While Mull Safe and Sound is a self-contained entity, it is a recognized part of the wider Argyll and Bute support network. It has received backing from the Argyll & Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) and the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund to sustain its operations. By maintaining a presence at the An Roth hub, the group ensures that mental health support is visible and accessible on the island, acting as a vital bridge for individuals who might otherwise struggle to navigate formal healthcare systems in a remote setting.