Catch 23

15/03/2026

Hilary led a great session on theme of Presidential Inauguration Poets for our Catch 23 Writers Group on Friday.

After a delicious and health lunch of Vegetarian Carbornara prepared by Chef Jordan Montgomery (so sorry Jordan we were so busy enjoying our food we forget to take any photos!) group members went on to produce some FANTASTIC work as always..

Below is a selection of recent work produced by our AMAZING and SUPER TALENTED group members;

Spring Flowers

Early in the new year
The daffodil shoots start coming through
Then one by one the flowers appear
There are not bunches yet
But they know their time will come

The snowdrops have started too
Day by day more come through
Dainty white little flowers
A top of green stalks standing there

I have not seen the crocus flower
Not seen their colours various hues
But they will not be far behind
Now spring is nearly here

Author: Anonymous

Some Haikus…

The wind was blowing
It flattened the daffodils
They bowed to the king

The rain and the sleet
Formed patterns on the windows
For us to admire

We stayed in the warm
Occasionally the sun came out
Not going outside

But when will spring come
The daffodils have come out
But will it be warm

Author: Anonymous

The Tree Planted by the River

Nameless you stand tall
Having seen life & death all around
Your branches are heavy with
The weight of new spring leaves

The river passing silently beside you
Its dangers lie in the
Darkness below
As I stand on the riverbank
I call to you
I share my past
I share my hopes
I know you are listening
I know you are wise

I reach out to touch you cool rugged trunk
I dared not call again
For now we are one

Author: Bev Poole

The Yoga Class

I once had a yoga teacher
Who said the magic of yoga
Was learning to touch your toes
What happens to you, she knows

The practice seeps into my bones
World that changes, but it’s me
Who is leaving behind captivity
Buddhism, Hindu Practices, Franciscan, Christianity

An exploration of the self in the now
Pressures of life, life assurance, job
No longer pouring in on me
Take control, power through

Way of being, way of seeing
A body that came to know
The beauty of suppleness, strength
Confident, understanding

Blows rained down on me
After millennium bells
Attacks that changed the body
For over twenty years

The worst fears that surrounded me
Boredom with the trials
Of imposed restrictions
Never ending, never satisfied

Left my body once so athletic
Broken beyond words
Unable to cope with this reality
It’s frailty displayed for all to see

Tentacles of expression
Still filter through
Body still remembering
At Catch 23 yoga sessions

Appreciates the guidance
Of blocks and bolsters
Enable me to feel
Some of that once known freedom

So it has become highlight
Of often difficult days
Enjoy the outing, Catch 23 and its ways
Soup for lunch, a chat, clear up the daze

Author: Isabelle Moss

AMAZING, Well done to ALL of our writers!

If anyone, with lived experience of mental health issues, is interested in joining us for our Friday Writers group or any of our other activities please get in touch to arrange an initial appointment;
☎️01851 704964
💻info@wiamh.org

15/03/2026

Mother’s Day can be a happy time, but it can also bring up a mix of complicated emotions.

Today we're sending love to anyone who needs it.

15/03/2026

Mother’s Day on social media can feel like a flood of happy photos, and celebrations of family. But we know for so many of you that today can be a reminder of loss, longing, or complicated and painful feelings.

There's so many reasons why today can be tough, many more than just what we’ve listed, and we want you to know that if you’re carrying any type of heavy feelings or ache today, you’re absolutely not alone, there are so many others who are feeling the weight of this day in their own ways. We’re always here for you if you need to talk on 116 123.

14/03/2026

Online album launch event with bestselling author and musician Peter May

14/03/2026

Catch 23 will be closed on Monday 16th March so all of our LOVELY staff team can complete First Aid Training.

Back to business as usual from Tuesday 17th March. 🥰👍Xx

13/03/2026

12/03/2026

What a lovely Thursday afternoon we've had at Catch 23 today! ☺️ It was paninis for lunch which is always a winner amongst our members! 😋 Gamesmaster Matthew then led the Gather & Game session once again. ☺️ Today it was a few rounds of 'Machi Koro 2' 😃 A favourite at Catch! Chef Jordan was off duty but came in to join in the games! ☺️

Out in the Taigh Ceilidh Linda led another fun Sketch & Chat session where our members were getting creative with felt! 🩷👏

If you're interested in joining us for any of our Catch 23 activities then please get in touch to arrange an initial appointment;

☎️01851 704964

💻info@wiamh.org

12/03/2026

So grateful to our lovely Catch 23 members for their kindness & support to enable the staff team to get to spend quality time together yesterday for our well deserved Staff Development & Well-being Day.

It was originally due to take place in January but had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions so BRILLIANT to have been able to make time for this to go ahead.

& a great opportunity to express our HEARTFELT GRATTITUDE to the WHOLE staff team for their positive contributions in providing person-centred, recovery focused caring & compassionate support @ Catch 23. Xx🥰👍

12/03/2026

A bit of wind & rain didn't dampen spirits for those brave souls who went on Catch 23 group walk on Tuesday.

Delivered in partnership with Penumbra Western Isles & Paths For All please get in touch if you fancy joining us for some good company, conversation & some gentle exercise.

Mondays,2.00-2.30-Easy Group Walk

Tuesdays, 2.00-3.00-Group Walk

Lovely to be seeing such hopeful signs of Spring even if the Sun has gone a bit shy on us this week!

☎️01851 704964
🖥info@wiamh.org

10/03/2026

Weekly focus on yoga at Catch 23...

Christine Darby-Munro Apothecary22 has chosen Mountain Pose (Tadasana) to focus on this week. Please see Christine's explanation of the pose below;

"Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Bring your feet about hip-width apart, or if it feels comfortable, bring the big toes together with a small space between the heels. Choose the position that allows you to feel most stable.

Spread your toes and place them gently down on the mat. Feel the four corners of your feet rooting into the ground—the base of the big toe, the base of the little toe, and both sides of the heel.

Let your weight distribute evenly between both feet.

Soften your knees slightly so they are not locked. From here, gently engage the legs, drawing energy upward from the feet through the ankles and into the thighs.

Allow the pelvis to settle into a neutral position, the tailbone lengthening toward the floor while the lower belly gently draws in to support the spine.

Lengthen up through the spine and broaden across the collarbones. Roll the shoulders up, back, and allow them to soften down your back.

Now bring your hands together at the heart in Anjali Mudra (prayer position), pressing the palms lightly together. Let the thumbs rest softly against the center of the chest.

Lift gently through the sternum toward the thumbs, keeping the shoulders relaxed.

Stack the head over the shoulders so the back of the neck stays long. Soften the jaw and the space between the eyebrows.

Pause here in Mountain Pose, steady and grounded.

If it feels supportive, imagine a fine golden thread attached to the very crown of your head. With each inhale, sense that thread gently lifting upward—as if someone above is lightly drawing it toward the sky.

The lift is subtle.

Your feet remain rooted and heavy, while the crown of the head rises effortlessly. The spine grows tall, creating space between each vertebra.

Feel the body lengthen between earth and sky—stable below, spacious above.

Take a few slow breaths here.

Chair option

If you prefer to practice seated, come to the front edge of your chair with both feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart.

Press the soles of the feet gently down so you feel grounded through the legs.

Sit tall on your sitting bones and lengthen the spine upward, just as you would if you were standing.

Allow the shoulders to soften down the back.

Bring the hands together at the heart in Anjali Mudra, (Prayer Position) thumbs resting lightly against the chest.

Let the crown of the head lift toward the ceiling, imagining the same golden thread drawing you gently upward while the feet remain grounded.

Even seated, you can experience the same sense of steadiness and length through the spine.

Take a few slow breaths here, tall, calm, and present"

Expressing our grattitude to Christine for sharing her knowledge & insight & to our 2 wonderful staff members, Josie (Josie M-Townsend) & Linda for demonstrating this pose so beautifully.💕🧘‍♀️🪷Xx

10/03/2026

REMINDER- No Catch 23 Art Group Wed 11th March due to Staff Development Day

09/03/2026

🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️It has been so lovely seeing the sun shining in Stornoway this afternoon ☺️☀️ Some of our members made the most of it by joining our weekly 'easy walk' round the Grounds! ☺️ Check out some of the great photos that Linda took along the way! 📷 🚶‍♂️🌞🚶‍♀️

🌷 If you're interested in joining us for walks or any of our other Catch 23 activities please get in touch to arrange an initial appointment;

☎️01851 704964
💻info@wiamh.org