A recent report published by Centre for Mental Health emphasises that:
- Integrated neighbourhood teams are central to the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England
- Neighbourhood teams including mental health support for people of all ages is crucial
- Building on pre-existing community mental health services, especially those integrated with primary care will be key for success
- Creating fair and well-rounded care in local neighbourhoods can reduce long-standing health gaps and put a stop to mental health difficulties worsening
- Neighbourhood teams will do better by linking up to local authority public health and social care services, and designing services together with community groups, charities and people who get support from their services
We wholeheartedly support the report and agree that the vision for the 10 Year Health Plan can only be achieved through community-based, accessible and timely mental health support, which requires proper funding and genuine commitment to shift from hospital to community.
We believe it’s vital that new neighbourhood teams include mental health support for all ages, from childhood to later life. Mental health needs to be included in their design from the start and not bolted on later down the line.
At Everyturn, we’re proud to be delivering these recommendations with Hope Haven in Copeland, our safe havens across the North East, and our hospital step-down and community rehabilitation services.
Hope Haven
We’re excited to be working with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Cumbria Health, Home Group, iCan and The Well to deliver Hope Haven, one of six Mental Health 24/7 Community Pilots funded by NHS England which aim to redesign mental health support around community needs.
Hope Haven helps Copeland residents to access mental health and wellbeing support from CNTW, Everyturn and Home Group, alongside practical advice on housing and benefits, physical health checks via Cumbria Health, community wellbeing activities via iCan and drug and alcohol support through The Well all working as one team, right on the high street.
We know that partnering with local authorities, community groups and charities enables us to support people at the heart of their communities, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life in Hope Haven.
Safe Havens
Our safe havens offer an alternative to NHS crisis teams and emergency services, integrated in the heart of communities. We’ve developed them with community partners, including integrated access and referral pathways which join-up support across neighbourhoods.
Our teams provide essential early interventions including support to manage difficult emotions and safety plan. They offer an essential front-door to neighbourhood support, helping people to address the practical issues impacting their mental health.
Hospital step-down and community rehabilitation
Our hospital step-down and community rehabilitation services provide clinical support to people with complex mental health needs in partnership with NHS Trusts, ICBs and other system partners. They’re located in the heart of communities, joined-up with neighbourhood support to help people stay well.
We wholeheartedly support the government’s shift from hospital to community. We’re proud that our services support our NHS partners to free up inpatient beds for people who need them most.
Read about Harry, one of the people our team supported, here.
Liam Gilfellon, Director of Relationships at Everyturn Mental Health, commented:
Everyturn are using the learning from Hope Haven and the other pilot sites to ensure that mental health is at the heart of all future Neighbourhood Health developments. We’re proud that our community safe havens and rehabilitation services work seamlessly alongside other voluntary, community, primary and secondary care partners, helping people to access the support they need, when they need it within their own communities.
We always welcome opportunities to share best practice or build new models of integrated community mental health support. If you’d like to learn more, please email partnerships@everyturn.org.