The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A Spalding-based charity is leading a local project to improve mental health in the area and it’s hoped it will create a seven day a week ‘hub’ in the town for those that need it.
The Tonic Health Safe Places Mental Health program has been given funding to extend its services across South Lincolnshire.
Wellbeing charity Tonic Health has been given £50,000 for two years by the Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group to provide the back up service for the county-wide Mental Health Matters Telephone Support Service manned by NHS mental health services.
The charity joined forces with the South Lincolnshire NHS Neighbourhood as part of the new project which launched at the start of this month.
Those who require a more local follow-up service, and are based in South Lincolnshire will be referred into the Safe Places program.
While initially support will come in the form of phone or video calls, once lockdown is lifted it’s hoped cafes across South Lincolnshire will be able to host approved Safe Places sessions.
There’s also a hope a seven day a week, 12 hours a day Special Places hub will be opened in Spalding.
A spokesman for Tonic Health said: “Due to current lockdown restrictions, the Safe Places project will continue to offer a weekly Zoom group meet, scheduled on Tuesdays, 4.30pm.
“The funding will also see a triage system to either a further video group or the 1:1 telephone support service led by Mental Health First Aid qualified individuals, or other suitable qualified organisations.
“Once social restrictions have been lifted, local cafes and organisations across South Lincolnshire will become accredited Safe Places.
“Each centre will see their staff trained in Mental Health First Aid to provide a listening ear to anyone locally who requires some support and assistance.
“The aim of the funding is to provide more local community settings for people to access with low-level mental health issues, in an attempt to get the help the person requires quicker and reduce the number of visits to GP surgeries or A&E with non medical interventions such as support with housing, debt management, social isolation and loneliness.
“The centres will be open throughout the day and in time will include early evening and weekends, ensuring that there is somewhere available in South Lincolnshire for people to access support.
“The service will not replace statutory clinical interventions, and is suited to those experiencing forms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and isolation where a friendly face, warm welcome and a chat may just be what they need to help them through their day.”
The dedicated mental health hotline is 0800 0014331.
Any individuals interested in finding out how they can volunteer within the project, or if local cafes/organisations would like to know how they can be involved are asked to contact Ruth Taplin, Safe Places co-ordinator on 07579 033347 visit www.tonic-health.co.uk or www.facebook.com/spaldingsafeplaces
