THE Janny’s Hoose project to provide Merkinch with a well-being centre took a leap forward last month with the appointment of Mrs Jean Mackay as co-ordinator.
Work is expected to start on the listed building in a matter of weeks, and it is hoped that it will be open for business by early summer. The house has lain empty for almost three years since the last resident janitor retired. Last year funding was made available through the Lottery to convert and refurbish the building and pay for the 30-hour-a-week co-ordinator and 15 hours a week administrative support until September 2007. There will also be “help in kind” from the local and health authorities.
The main thrust of the project is to promote health and positive thinking rather than wait till ill-health and crisis have to be treated. There will be broadly four aspects to the wide-ranging services available at the Janny’s Hoose:
Originally from Birmingham, Mrs Mackay met her husband, a Sutherland man from Scourie, who lectures at Inverness College. The family came to live in Inverness in 1988 and Mrs Mackay’s first job here was with the Council for the Single homeless - she worked at the city’s first night shelter. Since then she has served in a range of volunteering and community work positions, including Volunteering Highland. She was also involved with the tenants’ umbrella organisation Tighra until last March.
The Mackays have two grown-up children and Mrs Mackay has numerous hobbies, including yoga and gardening.
Currently in getting-to-know-you mode, Mrs Mackay is approaching her new job with characteristic thoroughness and enthusiasm. “We’ll really be stressing the positive and preventative aspects of the Janny’s Hoose, and I hope the community will become involved and support this very useful community facility.”