Founder of EK mental health support group devastated as service folds

An East Kilbride-based mental health charity that has proved to be a lifeline for members for more than 40 years has folded.

There are now calls from the town's MP and MSP for a way forward to be found for Support in Mind and alternative funding to be found for the service to be reinstated.The EK group was founded by Elinor Gardiner, now 90, after her own daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 17.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android This was 43 years ago, and while there were meetings in Glasgow under the auspice of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, there was nothing in East Kilbride.Elinor and other parents of those with mental health issues in the area got together and an EK branch was formed with Elinor taking the reins aided by Sheila McLeod, who is now 89.The group, which offers a range of support from meetings, trips away and allowing members to get out about in the community while feeling safe and secure, has been entirely self-funded with Elinor and Sheila working tirelessly to keep the group going.However, due to age and health reasons they are unable to carry on and say they previously came to an arrangement whereby the group would be run through Support in Mind Scotland HQ.But the women were informed recently there was no infrastructure or funding to allow HQ to