MSPs have praised the positive impact Buddy Beat is having on the lives of people across Renfrewshire. 


Among them is Clare Haughey, who is Scotland’s new Minister for Mental Health, and Renfrewshire South MSP, Tom Arthur.

The two recently attended Buddy Beat and praised the group for the positive impact it was having on its members. 


Ms Haughey, who took over from previous minister Maureen Watt in the recent cabinet reshuffle, hopes to see more groups like Buddy Beat popping up around the country.


She told The Gazette: “These kind of groups are really powerful.
“The Buddy Beat has clearly made a lot of people feel they have a reason to get out of bed and they have a purpose.


“When I became a mental health nurse, mental health hospitals were still seen as asylums, where people would be outcast from society.


“We have a come a long way in the last 30 years or so.


“There is a lot of demand for mental health resources now and groups like this could save the NHS a lot of money.


“But I like to think things like the Buddy Beat are much more valuable than cash. Through drumming, these guys are helping one another and have shared difficult and good times on their journey to recovery.”

Meanwhile, Tom Arthur is more than familiar with the therapeutic benefits music can provide.


The SNP man was in a band himself years ago as a keyboard player and studied music at university, so he was delighted to see the difference drumming is making to people with mental illnesses when he went to Johnstone High Parish Church for a session with the Buddy Beat.


Mr Arthur joined in with the music making himself and was more than impressed with the sound the group created.


He said: “It was a real pleasure to meet the Buddy Beat group.
“Coming from a musical background, I know of the pleasure making music with others can bring – and it was clear that those participating were having great fun.


“I also found some of the stories about how Buddy Beat has helped those in the group quite emotional.


“I cannot praise them enough for the work they are doing to reduce social isolation for those with experience of mental health issues.”