The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland continues to expand the number of crisis cafés as Melton Mowbray officially launched on Friday 30 September.
It brings the total number of cafes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to 13, with a further two to open later this month.
The café is being run by Sunny Skies Enterprise CIC at their premises at Melton Country Park and managed by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) which delivers much of the mental health support across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Director and founder Zoe Saffron said: “Although we opened the crisis café a couple of weeks ago, we wanted to have this event today to bring all our partners together. I am delighted to see so many here and sharing what they can provide to local people, both from our café here, and in the wider community.”
Crisis Cafes offer local support to people who need immediate help with their mental health. They are from the NHS’s Long-Term Plan which aims to provide more support for mental health and wellbeing closer to home and more relevant to local communities’ needs. They were also overwhelming supported by the NHS’s local mental health consultation in 2021 called Step up to Great Mental Health.
Mark Hydes, a Peer Support Worker from LPT’s Community Mental Health Team came to the launch to meet the Sunny Skies team. Mark said: “ This is a fantastic provision for people in Melton. It provides a relaxed and informal setting and the team are so supportive. They know their area and can link people to other groups and activities which can be the difference between falling in a crisis and feeling better.”
Access All Areas, a local counselling CIC run by Mark Frisby and Anna Aubrey, were one of the local organisations at the launch. Anna commented: “This is a fantastic location. It is on the edge of the park which provides easy access to a lovely green space. Being outdoors is so important for good mental health and I know Sunny Skies already make use of this with their activity groups, such as Walking for Wellbeing.”
The final two cafes will open n the next few weeks at Loughborough University and in Oadby and Wigston. This will bring the total number of cafes to 15 for 2022, with a further 10 to open in 2023.
The administration of the bids is being managed by the NHS on behalf of the NHS by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) who will continue to work with the Cafes as they set up and develop.
For more information visit VAL’s website here Crisis Café Grant Scheme – Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (valonline.org.uk)