Penumbra Mental Health

20/08/2026

Congratulations to Self-Harm Network Scotland for reaching this incredible milestone! 💜

Supporting over 7,000 people across Scotland to better understand self-harm, reduce stigma, and build confidence in supporting others is a fantastic achievement. We're proud to work alongside Self-Harm Network Scotland and celebrate the impact of this vital training.

12/08/2026

🌙 Did you know?

Many people know Penumbra as a mental health charity delivering 59 programmes and services across Scotland, supporting people and communities to live fulfilling lives.

But the word penumbra also has another meaning. It's the partially shaded area around a shadow, often seen during an eclipse.

Tonight's eclipse is a reminder that even when things get a little dark, light is still there.

At Penumbra, we help people find hope, connection and brighter days ahead.

Click the link below to find our more 👇:

https://penumbra.org.uk/



Dynamic Earth
Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
The Scottish Government

12/08/2026

This , we're shining a spotlight on the incredible young people we support through our South Ayrshire Self-Harm Service. 💙

The service provides compassionate, non-judgmental 1:1 support for young people aged 12-18, helping them explore the issues surrounding self-harm, develop healthier coping strategies, and improve their overall wellbeing.

Our person-centred, recovery-focused and trauma-informed approach ensures young people receive support that is tailored to what matters most to them, whether that's delivered in school, in the community or virtually.

The impact speaks for itself:

✨ 95% said the support focused on what mattered to them and that they were involved in decisions about their care.
✨ 91% felt genuinely cared about while receiving support.
✨ 95% described the service as trustworthy and reliable.

Young people told us:

"Being listened to made me feel like I had someone to talk to."

"The support I received has helped me. It's made me more confident and helped me with my identity."

This International Youth Day, we celebrate the resilience of young people and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they have access to the support they deserve.



Self-Harm Network Scotland
United Nations Youth
UNICEF
South Ayrshire Council

11/08/2026

📢 New referrals now open

Our Edinburgh Self-Harm Support Service is currently accepting new referrals and has short waiting times.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support, visit our service page for information and access to the referral form:

🔗 https://penumbra.org.uk/services/edinburgh-self-harm-support-service/



Change Mental Health
Self-Harm Network Scotland
iThrive Edinburgh
NHS Lothian
Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
The City of Edinburgh Council

06/08/2026

📢 Exciting opportunities at See Me Scotland !

Last month, we were delighted to officially welcome the See Me team to Penumbra Mental Health as Scotland's national programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination entered an exciting new chapter. Delivered by Penumbra in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, See Me continues its vital work to challenge stigma and create lasting change across Scotland.

Now, we're looking for passionate and talented people to join the team and help drive this work forward. Current opportunities include:

🔹Programme Manager (Workplaces)
🔹Programme Manager (Community & Priority Groups)
🔹Policy Lead
🔹Communications Lead
🔹Project Officer (No More Shame)

All roles are hybrid, with the team coming together every Thursday in our Glasgow office. Applications close on Wednesday 19 August.

👇 Read more and view all vacancies:
https://isw.changeworknow.co.uk/penumbra/vms/e/careers/search/new

05/08/2026

✨ New Recovery Story

From the first call with Self-Harm Network Scotland's Peer Practitioner, Shawn instantly felt safe and heard, without any judgement.

Shawn has stopped self-harming and feels in a much better place 💙

Read Shawn's Story here 👇
selfharmnetworkscotland.org.uk/shawns-story/

16/07/2026

🌟 Last week our Head of Programmes, Shaun, had the pleasure of meeting with Patricia Gibson MSP and Kenneth Gibson MSP to discuss the impact of our work across North Ayrshire.

From supporting people through Peers 4 Hope, our Su***de Bereavement Support Service (Ayrshire & Arran), and the North Ayrshire Self-Harm Support Service, to driving national change through Self-Harm Network Scotland and the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme, it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vital support available within our communities.

💜 We’re grateful for the chance to share the stories, successes and challenges behind these services, and to highlight the importance of continued investment in compassionate, person-centred mental health and wellbeing support.

10/07/2026

One week on from our East Lothian Football Fundraiser ⚽💙

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since we took to the pitch at Ross High RFC for our East Lothian Football Fundraiser in support of the regeneration of the garden at our Elder Street Services in Tranent.

A huge thank you to John Tonner, Chairman of Destiny United FC, and the entire Destiny United team for their incredible support from the very first planning meeting through to match day itself. Your commitment, enthusiasm and community spirit helped make the event such a success.

We're also extremely grateful for Destiny United FC's generous £200 donation and the presentation of an official club jacket!

Together, we raised more than £600, helping us create a welcoming outdoor space where people can relax, connect and benefit from the positive impact nature can have on mental health and recovery.

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, baked, bought raffle tickets and cheered us on. Football may have brought us together, but community is what made this event so special.

The JustGiving page remains open until 26 July if you'd still like to support the project 👇:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/elderstreetfootballfundraiser

08/07/2026

✨ Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 | Alcohol and Me

This , led by Alcohol Change UK, we're taking time to reflect on the theme , encouraging honest conversations about the role alcohol plays in our lives and the impact it can have on our health and wellbeing.

For some people, alcohol can become a way of coping with difficult emotions, stress, anxiety, trauma or low mood. While it may feel like a temporary escape, alcohol can often worsen mental health challenges over time, affecting mood, sleep, energy levels, relationships and overall wellbeing.

At Penumbra, we understand that everyone's relationship with alcohol is unique. We are proud to deliver specialist Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) Services in and , supporting people to live independently, rebuild confidence and achieve the best possible quality of life.

We were delighted to recently sit down with Tommy Pattison, Operations Manager at our Edinburgh Milestone ARBD Service, to hear first-hand about the life-changing support offered through the service and the difference it makes to people's recovery journeys.

Whether you're reflecting on your own relationship with alcohol or supporting someone else, remember that help is available.

Find mental health support in your area through our services page 👇: https://penumbra.org.uk/services/

29/06/2026

💚 Great news for the Western Isles!

We're delighted that the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and NHS Western Isles, have confirmed funding for our Western Isles NOVA service, ensuring continued recovery-focused mental health support for people aged 16+ across Lewis, Harris, Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay and Barra.

A huge thank you to our dedicated team, partners at Catch 23, and everyone helping to build hope, connection and wellbeing across island communities.

Note: This post has been retrospectively amended to acknowledge the Integrated Joint Board (IJB).

💚

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
NHS Western Isles

🌟 Supporting Recovery, Wellbeing, and Hope Across the Western Isles 🌟

We're delighted that the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and NHS Western Isles, have confirmed annual funding for our Western Isles NOVA service, enabling us to continue supporting people aged 16+ across Lewis, Harris, Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay and Barra.

💚 Our recovery-focused service supports people experiencing mental health challenges and helps tackle social isolation through:

✅ 1:1 support
✅ Wellbeing workshops
✅ Hope & Recovery Groups
✅ Walking Football
✅ Physical activity and self-management support
✅ Opportunities for participation, connection and inclusion

We’re proud to work alongside the Western Isles Association for Mental Health’s Catch 23 Drop-In Centre, based in our recently refurbished building at 23 Bayhead, Stornoway.

📞 Call: 01851 706360
📧 Email: [email protected]

Everyone deserves support, hope, and the opportunity to thrive. If you or someone you know could benefit from our service, get in touch today.



Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
NHS Western Isles

Note: This post has been retrospectively amended to acknowledge the Integrated Joint Board (IJB).