A brand new community space opened in Rothesay, funded by the Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and local charity WithYou.
Connect Bute, which officially opened on Wednesday 27 May with a launch event, will be the first dedicated community space of its kind on the island. Located in the heart of Rothesay, the modern facility includes a garden area and will be open to the whole community to use for wellbeing and group activities - not just those struggling with alcohol or drugs.
Membership is free for all organisations and community groups. Registered charities can book rooms at no cost, while other organisations pay low rates that cover only running costs.
The new space comes as WithYou in Argyll and Bute has grown significantly. Referrals to the service have risen 49% in just two years - from 200 in 2023 to 298 in 2025. Despite the increased demand, the service continues to act quickly: on average, it takes less than a day from referral to assessment for support.
Laura Stephenson, Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) Co-ordinator, said: “Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership are delighted to support the fantastic work WithYou have achieved in renovating this building for the community. It is a warm and inviting place where people can access support not just from With You but other partners too. This environment offers a space where people can feel safe and respected. I look forward to seeing how Bute builds on what has been developed here.”
Sovay Fitzpatrick, head of WithYou’s services in North and West Scotland, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be opening Connect Bute with the Argyll and Bute ADP. We’ve seen a real increase in people coming to us for support, and that tells us how important it is to be visible and rooted in the local community.
“But this space isn’t just for our clients. It’s for everyone on the island - other charities, community groups, families, anyone who needs a space to meet and connect. We believe wellbeing belongs to everyone, and we hope Connect Bute becomes somewhere the whole of the island feels at home.”
Read more about Drug and alcohol recovery in Argyll and Bute.