The Community Mental Health Transformation programme supports people to live well in their local communities. It brings the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector together.
In the past many organisations have worked independently of another. People have often had to contact a wide range of different places to receive the support they need. It’s created barriers to people getting the help they need when they need it. People have felt confused and frustrated.
Over the last few years, we’ve been working with our partners to address these barriers. We’re working closer together to help people to get the support that’s right for them when they need it.
What have we done
Specialist roles
We’ve introduced Mental Health Practitioners into GP surgeries. This has helped Primary Care and mental health services to work closer. It’s also freed up GPs to see more non-mental health related cases. This new approach has made sure that people receive the support that’s right for them, when they need it. It’s also reduced the need for referrals to mental health services and lengthy waits.
New specialists are also supporting services across the region. They provide training and input for eating disorders and trauma informed care approaches.
Our Dual Diagnosis service has helped bridge the gap between mental health and recovery services in Middlesbrough. The service helps improve access to support for patients who have both mental health and substance misuse problems.
We’ve invested in several new roles to help support and guide people. Peer Support workers can listen and support from their own lived experience. Care Navigators can offer guidance and help to navigate and access local services. Social Prescribers help people to access groups and activities to improve their wellbeing.
Community investment
We work with local authorities and invest in community projects and groups. These groups can provide vital lifelines to local people. They provide them with a safe space to meet others and to take part in activities that help their wellbeing.
Listening to and utilising lived experience in what we do
To support our work in Tees Valley, we’ve co-facilitated a lived experience forum that brings people with lived experience together. The forum discusses a range of topics including Primary Care, mental health, housing benefits and social care. The views and opinions shared are used to help shape and develop local services and support.
Working together
Community Hubs
Community Hubs are being developed across the region. It’s part of our aim to work closer with our wider partners across the public and voluntary sector.
Organisations work together to help people with their mental health and wellbeing needs. This can include things that impact people’s mental health and wellbeing. For example employment, housing, finances, bereavement and loneliness.
Closer working helps to improve people’s knowledge of the local support available. It also promotes a more holistic approach to addressing people’s needs
Community Hubs provide people with improved access to mental health and wellbeing support. They can act as a friendly one-stop-shop for advice and support.
Anyone can drop-in to the hubs and receive advice or help to access the support and information they need.
Local hubs
Stockton Wellbeing Hub
Unit 5
Wellington Square
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1RG
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (drop-in, no appointment necessary)
Tel: 01642 611922 (please note this is not manned full time)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.stocktonwellbeinghub.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellbeinghubstockton
Further information:
The Wellbeing Hub brings together a range of expertise and organisations under one roof, making it easier for people to access local help and support for a wide range of issues that can impact their mental health and general wellbeing.
Anyone can drop in and speak to a member of trained staff, who’ll listen to their needs and provide support, advice, and guidance in a timely manner. Activities are running already, and a full timetable is coming soon.
Darlington Connect
6 Northgate
Darlington
DL1 1NR
Monday to Friday 9am – 3.30pm (drop-in or arrange an appointment)
Tel: 01325 639507
Email: [email protected]
Further information:
The hub offers help for people to connect with a range of specialist services who can support with a range of issues from mental and physical ill-health, domestic violence, substance and alcohol misuse, utilities and housing issues, debt and cost of living advice.
