Leaving a lasting legacy: Former charity chief funds decade of mental health support for young people in the Scottish Borders
Last updated 12th Nov 2026
Young people in the Scottish Borders who struggle to talk about their mental health are being offered a new form of support through art therapy.
The free service, run by youth charity MYPAS (Midlothian Young People's Advice Service), uses activities such as painting, drawing and clay modelling to help 12 to 18-year-olds express their feelings and work through difficult emotions.
It has been made possible by a £250,000 gift left in the will of Colin Lumsdaine, a former chief executive of the charity who lived in Oxton and died last year.
The legacy will fund an art therapist for the next ten years, providing an alternative for young people who find traditional talking therapies, such as counselling, difficult.
MYPAS chief executive Dave Evans told Greatest Hits Radio: “We’re deeply grateful to Colin for thinking of leaving such a thoughtful legacy.
"Having worked with Colin previously, it is typical of him to think of others and to be determined, even when his health was failing, to think of supporting young people.
"At the time we'd started working in the Scottish Borders, Colin was keen, being from Oxton, for us to continue working in the region (doing something) that would complement school counselling.
"This new service provies an alternative support to young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Whilst working with the local high school, this service is independent of the school and provides support also in community settings.
"To my knowledge, there is not any other service like this in the Scottish Borders at the moment.”
The service became fully operational in October, following the recruitment of a qualified art therapist over the summer.
Referrals can also come from young people directly as well as parents.
Young people will be able to access the service all year round and at times and places that suit them – and they don't have to be good at art to receive therapy.
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The charity says it's working closely with local organisations including Galashiels Academy and TD1 Youth Hub.
Dave said: "For young people who find talking therapies like counselling difficult, it offers them an alternative.
"It's not just using art, but it's using art to express feelings and emotions, but also talking with the art therapist and working through what can be difficult things to discuss and express.
"We would expect to see that young people over a number of weeks feel a lot better about themselves, they're more confident, they're more resilient, and they're much more hopeful for the future."
For more information about MYPAS and its services, visit www.mypas.co.uk
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