The Grassmarket Community Project has pledged to help those affected by the closure of Comas

A social enterprise has offered to support those affected by the closure of an addiction service.

Edinburgh charity Comas – which operated the popular Serenity Café - went into liquidation last week, with the organisation’s bosses unable to secure a sustainable future for the charity.

And amid fears that the closure of the service will lead to reduced support for those battling addiction, the Grassmarket Community Project has given an offer of help to those hit by the loss of Comas.

“It’s heartbreaking that something as important to the city as Serenity is lost,” said the organisation’s chief executive Jonny Kinross.

“It is vital that the people who we know got a lot of support from Comas and Serenity Café contact agencies or support like ourselves who will hopefully be able to offer them opportunities. At the Grassmarket we have many volunteering and training opportunities, including paid apprenticeship schemes for 16-25 year olds and many cultural, recreational and creative activities open to everyone and all of them are free.”

All staff were made redundant at Comas with a statement from the charity’s board saying that emergency funding options had been examined, however the group’s financial position meant liquidation was the only viable option.

The charity faced a challenge earlier this year as it was forced to find new office premises and a new home for its Serenity Café - which provided a space for those in recovery to relax and socialise - for the first time in 10 years. A new home was found at The Pleasance – with staff saying they were delighted at the response from the community, however the café closed its doors last week.

Anyone who needs support can contact the Grassmarket Community Project on [email protected] or 0131 225 3626, or online.