Dumfries & Galloway Mental Health Association

27/02/2026

📣 New Job Opportunity 📣

Operations Manager

£43,000 – £47,000 per annum

Full-time | 35 hours per week

We are now seeking to appoint an experienced and strategic Operations Manager. This is a unique opportunity to shape, strengthen, and lead high-quality services across the region. The post holder will be responsible for the strategic direction, operational leadership, and performance management of services, ensuring they remain safe, effective, and financially sustainable. The role requires oversight of compliance with national legislation, regulatory standards, and local priorities, while driving continuous improvement and innovation.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the CEO, you will provide strong operational and transformational leadership. We are looking for a forward-thinking, resilient leader with significant senior-level experience in adult social care and mental health services. You will demonstrate integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to inspire teams, build effective partnerships, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Essential Criteria:

· Minimum three years’ senior leadership experience from Registered Manager up with a proven track record of operational management and transformational change

· Experience of managing regional multi-site services

· SVQ Level 4 in Social Services and Healthcare (or equivalent)

· SVQ Level 4 in Leadership and Management (or equivalent)

A full Job Description and Person Specification are available on request.

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter to resourcing@dgmha.org by 23rd March 2026.

https://dgmha.org/vacancies/operations-manager

18/02/2026

We hope everyone enjoyed pancake day as much as Liam and Jennifer who made some tasty delights with the support of Lisa and Fraser 🥞😋

16/02/2026

We would like to express our deepest thanks to Castle MacLellan for their donation of £10,000 to DGMHA 💙

This will support our charity to provide inclusion-focused, upskilling and developing activities for our service users. Aligning with each individual's goals, these opportunities will aim to create meaningful, engaging and positive experiences.

Also a big congratulations to Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes and Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities!

30/01/2026

📣 Become a Board Member at DGMHA 📣

For more information please got to: https://dgmha.org/vacancies/board-director

19/01/2026

The last few months of 2025 were eventful for our team and service users at Craigshields. We recount the activities enjoyed by our people throughout October to December:

One of our longstanding service users, John celebrated his 70th birthday in October with staff hosting a party for him at Craigshields. John tells us he thoroughly enjoyed his day.

We celebrated World Mental Health Day on Friday 10th October by coming together for a buffet and quiz. Service users had staff up singing and dancing and a great time was had by all. Barrie came first place in the quiz, with Ian coming a close second.

Liam celebrated his birthday in Carlisle with Sam, Nicola and Joanna. He chose to have lunch at the Griffin followed by bowling and shopping. Liam and Sam decided to team up against staff, and of course they beat them.

Colin enjoyed a visit to Lothlorien with Lisa and took part in gardening activities and some light exercises. They were lucky enough to visit over lunchtime and got to sample some delicious homemade soup during their visit.

Mark and Linda supported Liam and Ian to Carlisle to make a start to their Christmas Shopping in November. They enjoyed lunch at Bob and Berts and made a few festive purchases.

We spent a rainy afternoon with a quiz just for fun. ‘How well do you know the staff?’ questions were given out. Nicola was happy to hear she was voted most likely to win the lottery, and Sam voted most likely to be mistaken for Brad Pitt.

Ian enjoyed a Scottish Pink Floyd Tribute Night at the Loreburn Hall in December. Ian is a huge fan of Pink Floyd so was happy to have got tickets to this event. He is pictured looking very smart in his shirt and tie.

Julie, our cleaner was looking very festive on Christmas Jumper Day. She always brightens up the room and service users love seeing her busy around the house. She is pictured here with Nicola, Deputy Team Leader.

John S, John M, Liam, Colin and Artur enjoyed a Christmas Meal at the Granary mid-December. Staff members Lisa, Sam and Kairon accompanied them for a 3-course meal. All attending had a lovely afternoon and felt well and truly in the festive spirit.

Some service users chose to spend time with their families for the festivities. Service users at home had opted for a Christmas meal and enjoyed a traditional Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, sitting down with staff to enjoy.

Looking forward to a busy 2026!

15/01/2026

15/01/2026

Looking back to the end of 2025, our West Outreach service were busy with event planning, fundraising and socialising.

October 10th was World Mental Health Awareness Day, our social group gathered in the office for a quiz. We had a good laugh at our quiz reader, Annmarie, with her reading and mixing up the words!
That evening we had a cinema night with five of our female service users and two staff members to see Downtown Abby, this was thoroughly enjoyed.

Over the next two months our team worked hard to collect donations for our annual bingo night. We got some very good prizes from our service users, staff, friends, family and some very generous local businesses. Also, Teri, one of our support staff donated a night at the View Lodge in Portpatrick for one very lucky winner in the raffle.
On the 28th November we held our Bingo Night at the Stranraer Fitba Bar. The night had a great turn out, there were lots of lucky winners of prizes and we raised a fantastic £1,345.00. One of our team members, Yvonne, won the night stay at View Lodge. We are so thankful to everyone who donated and took part in helping organise. Annmarie, Emma and Karen were pleased with the success and were glad to rest and recover after it was all over. A great night enjoyed be all.

It was then onto the annual Xmas Party planning. In total 53 staff and service users came together again at Stranraer Fitba Bar for food, music and dancing. A 3 course lunch was delivered by Colin Herron, which went down a treat. Music provided by Lianne Brown and there was plenty of dancing. We even got a wee song sung by Colin on the mic, singing ‘One Man Band’, who knew he was such a good Leo Sayer impressionist 😆

Safe to say we all looked forward to some down time at Christmas and New Year after a busy few months.

10/01/2026

Please support our Charity by donating any unwanted preloved items and gifts which generate vital funds for our cause... Providing care and support for people in the region who are living with mental health conditions, enabling them to lead a happy, purposeful and fulfilling life as part of their local communities. Recycling promotes sustainability by reusing goods, reducing landfill and offering affordable items and volunteering opportunities to the local community. Thank you...

05/01/2026

📣 New Job Opportunity📣

Registered Manager - West

(Covering Stranraer, Newton Stewart and surrounding areas)

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Salary: £32,582.55

Onsite Location: Stranraer

Closing Date: 14th January 2026

This is a position of significant responsibility, leadership, and confidentiality. The Registered Manager will provide effective operational and strategic management across DGMHA West, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care that promotes positive outcomes for the people we support.

The post holder will oversee day-to-day service operations, maintain compliance with legislative and regulatory standards, and foster a positive, supportive working environment. The Registered Manager will also manage, supervise, and develop the Deputy Managers located across the Stranraer and Newton Stewart services, ensuring consistent practice and high standards of care delivery.

For more information, job description and how to apply visit: https://dgmha.org/vacancies/registered-manager

30/12/2025

📣 New Job Opportunity📣

Deputy Manager (Peripatetic)
Full Time (35 hours)
£28,760.55 per year

We are recruiting a dedicated and confident Deputy Manager (Peripatetic) to support our services across DGMHA East (Dumfries Outreach, Craigshields, Castle Douglas).

You will work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care, operational compliance, and positive outcomes for the people we support. In the Registered Manager’s absence, you will take on shared managerial responsibility, providing continuity of leadership and safe, effective service delivery.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference within our community services, supporting growth and improvement while progressing your leadership career. You will work within a values-driven organisation that prioritises high-quality care and staff development.

For more information or to apply follow the Indeed link:

Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association

27/12/2025

Clear the decks of any 'unsed', 'unwanted' preloved items and gifts, simply call 07761 284001 & Vinny will conveniently collect them from your home. Recycling and donating helps support the Charity, provides affordable purchases for the community & reduces landfill maintaining our environment. Thankyou.