The Teesside Crisis Transformation programme began in 2021 and is part of the NHS Long Term Plan to increase the provision of alternative forms of crisis support.
The programme aims to identify local inequalities among people who use crisis services and to implement alternative services that better meet the needs of these groups. In turn it aims to also reduce the need for A&E or inpatient admissions.
In Teesside, we are working with people with lived experience of mental health and wider partners to understand the challenges and barriers that people face when accessing support or services. We are then using this information to develop alternative provision.
The Teesside Crisis Service has worked with voluntary sector organisations, police, and ambulance services, to deliver alternatives to traditional crisis services and to improve signposting to wider support and services available.
Since 2021 we have been able to expand the services that are delivered by the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and evaluations of our work to date have demonstrated a positive impact for local people.
Crisis transformation services
Every Turn – Together in a Crisis
Every Turn Mental Health is working in collaboration with the Tees crisis services to deliver a new service called Together in a Crisis (TIAC), which covers Tees and Durham. The service provides practical and emotional support for people who identify as being in crisis but do not always require a clinical intervention but need support for social issues.
The service supports adults aged 18 and over across Teesside and supports those who traditionally struggle to access and engage with services.
Feedback from people accessing TIAC
This was an invaluable service that gave me hope at a time when I was on the verge of giving up. They very successfully supported me out of crisis, and I hope the service continues to operate, it has brilliant potential.
The support I received from my caseworker and others from Together in a Crisis has been life changing. The support and care they provided will never be forgotten. I hold TIAC in high regard. Thank you for everything you have done for me.
The service since going live in February last year has taken a total of 950 referrals from the trust and is slowly evolving. A drug and alcohol team is now also in place working with people on a short term basis.
Humankind peer support
Humankind is working in collaboration with Tees crisis service to provide peer support to patients accessing the intensive home-based treatment teams. Peer support is provided to support resilience and recovery, well-being checks and to support engagement in community services.
The programme utilises lived experience to provide a listening ear and provides people with an example of hope and recovery.
Having provided the peer support service since 2020, Humankind have seen the positive impact peer support has on both patients and peers. Through exemplifying hope for recovery that only those with lived experience can give and reducing the stigma of mental health. Clients have been encouraged to engage with support and services who otherwise would not have.
In the last 12 months the service has accepted over 600 referrals.
Feedback from people who have used the service
It was reassuring to see someone who has come out of the other side of mental ill health. It also gave me hope that my own recovery was possible.
They gave me help with mental health information and explained things much more clearly. I felt they understood me and gave me tips to help me move forward.
I could believe that the peer worker had experienced such similar feelings to myself. I instantly felt understood and less alone.
The peer support enabled me to think about what long term support would be helpful to me and my family. They supported me to access this support, which I might not have otherwise done.
