We support young people, adults and families across Inverclyde and surrounding areas who are experiencing distress, crisis, feelings of isolation, or thoughts of suicide. We also work with neurodivergent adults, young people on the edges of exclusion, and families who need early help and connection. If you are unsure whether we are right for you, please get in touch. We will always respond honestly and help you find the right support.
No. You can self-refer (nominate) directly. Professionals such as teachers, social workers or GPs can also refer (nominate) with your consent. We aim to make access simple and barrier-free.
No. Our services are free to access thanks to funding, grants and donations from our community and partners.
We provide relational, trauma-informed support. While we are not a clinical counselling or therapy service, we work alongside statutory services such as CAMHS, adult mental health teams and GPs when needed. Our focus is on safety, connection and practical support.
Once you contact us, a member of our team will respond as soon as possible. We will arrange an initial conversation to understand what is going on for you and what support might help. If there are immediate safety concerns, we will work with you to create a safety plan and connect you to appropriate services. You will not be rushed or processed. We take time to understand your situation properly.
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 1–2 working days. Where someone is at immediate risk, we prioritise contact as quickly as possible during working hours. If you need urgent help outside of our opening hours, please contact NHS 24 on 111 or Samaritans on 116 123.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 999. If you need urgent mental health support, contact NHS 24 on 111. You can also contact Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time. The Anchor is not a 24/7 crisis service, but we will respond during working hours and help you access urgent support where needed.
Yes. What you share with us is treated with respect and confidentiality. However, if we believe that you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, we have a legal and ethical duty to share concerns with appropriate services. Wherever possible, we will discuss this with you first and work transparently.
It means we recognise that many people have experienced difficult or overwhelming events. We prioritise safety, trust, choice and collaboration. We do not ask “What is wrong with you?” We ask “What has happened to you, and how can we support you?”
The length of support varies depending on your needs and the service you are accessing. Some people need short-term support during a difficult period. Others benefit from longer-term relational support. We review support regularly to ensure it remains helpful.
Yes. Parents and carers can contact us for advice, support or to discuss a referral for their child or young person. We will always involve young people in decisions about their support where appropriate.
Yes. We provide neurodivergent-informed support and run specific adult autism programmes. Our spaces aim to be sensory-aware and flexible.
The Anchor follows robust child protection, adult protection and contextual safeguarding policies. All concerns are discussed internally with senior staff and escalated appropriately when required. We work closely with local partners to ensure safety and accountability.
Yes, we absolutely do. Most of our work continues to happen with men and boys in our community. In 2025, 65% of our safety plans were created with adult males. While we now support young people, adults and families across our community, suicide disproportionately affects men, and we remain deeply committed to supporting them. The Anchor exists to support anyone experiencing distress or crisis, regardless of age, gender or background.
