Ballingry men help launch Tartan Talker's new hub

Tony and Alfie McDonald, Camryn Coyle, Todd Lochlin and Finlay Ness were among around 30 people who attended the launch of the new service run by the Tartan Talkers charity in Dunfermline on Saturday.

The group raised £4,300 for the charity through a football match which they organised following the tragic death of their friend Callam Coyle at the age of 19.

Family and friends of Callam Coyle were among those who helped launch Tartan Talker's new hub in Dunfermline. (Image: David Wardle)

READ MORE: Men's mental health charity to open a club in Ballingry

Tartan Talkers, a male suicide prevention and awareness charity, was set up in August 2022 by Dunfermline woman Jackie Walls following the devastating loss of her nephew, Cowdenbeath man Scott Taylor, who took his own life in March 2022 at the age of just 37.

Keen to ensure other families didn't have to go through what her's did, she started the charity which offers peer-to-peer mentoring as well as signposting to other local organisations.

Family and friends of Callam Coyle were among those who helped launch Tartan Talker's new hub in Dunfermline. (Image: David Wardle)

Having helped over 300 people last year, it is hoped the new hub will provide much-needed help for even more.

"It was very much a community thing," explained Jackie. "This is a community project, a wee community hub. About 30 people turned up and it was basically people whose lives had been touched by suicide.

"We have pictures on the table (of people lost through suicide). About three years ago, we had about three pictures on there. There are now about 10 on there.

"It gives you an idea of how much suicides have increased. It is just unbelievable. The impact this is having on people's lives.

Tartan Talkers' table to remember those lost through suicide. (Image: David Wardle)

"Everybody who was there had some connection, they had lost someone to suicide.

"They want to help other families but they also want to keep their child's memory alive. This charity is about people. It is not just about Scott. It is a community based charity. What we want to do is ensure their loved ones are never forgotten."

It is hoped the hub will be fully up and running by the end of this week.

"It is basically just to be a visible presence in the community," said Jackie "People can drop in face to face and get support, have a coffee and a blether.

"We are also opening up a man's club here. We have got one in Ballingry and we will be opening one in Dunfermline within the coming months.

"It will be a Friday night in the hub. That will just be a place to go where they can have a wee blether, it doesn't have to be about an issue, everyone is more than welcome."

Details of the vital work being carried out by the Tartan Talkers team is updated regularly on the charity's Facebook page which has attracted over 1,000 followers in the last week.

Jackie continued: "It is gathering momentum. People are realising who we are and what we are trying to do and trying to support us.

"We have got quite a few volunteers and we recently had two mental health nurses wanting to jump on board as well. It is unbelievable how many people want to help and we are delighted to take them."

The work of the Tartan Talkers has been highlighted by their patrons, The Proclaimers, who publicised the new hub – and the efforts of Callam's friends – on their website.

"Kenny, their manager, has been amazing," added Jackie. "They have been brilliant in helping us with awareness."