Content/trigger warning: this in this blog, we talk about suicide.
We welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement that 100 new NHS mental health centres will open across England this autumn, using local libraries, banks, and other community locations, alongside 59 mental health emergency departments.
We know people need access to support sooner. Since January this year, we’ve seen over 5,800 people access our crisis support services in the North East. In Cumbria, Everyturn is a delivery partner of Hope Haven, a high street mental health service in Whitehaven; an area with one of the highest suicide rates in the UK. Over 2,000 people have accessed the walk-in service this year.
Commenting on today’s announcement from the Prime Minister, Adam Crampsie, Chief Executive at Everyturn, said:
“It’s brilliant to see this expansion of community-based walk-in support. When someone is struggling with their mental health, they need somewhere welcoming, close to home, and easy to access. No waiting lists or the need for a formal diagnosis.
“At Everyturn, we have years of experience delivering community and crisis mental health services. Our experience shows that the best services start with the person and bring the right support around them, rather than expecting people in distress to navigate a complicated system.
“Hope Haven is just one example. In the first five months of 2026, adult acute mental health admissions in the area fell by over 22%, while mental health attendances at A&E reduced by over 15% compared with the same period last year.
“Behind every one of those numbers is a person getting support sooner, with fewer barriers and less disruption to their life. It’s fantastic to see this approach being expanded, and we’re ready to share what we have learned so that more communities can benefit.
“Accessible, community-based mental health support like these new centres must be integral to England’s new mental health strategy. Only by evolving the entire mental health system will the strategy deliver services fit for the future.”