Volunteer defiant after funding cuts

The founder of local groups providing help for those struggling with mental health has vowed to continue running them despite having her NHS funding cut.

Vanessa Browning (pictured) was effectively made redundant by the cost-cutting measures, but will keep hosting the Safe Places groups she’s helped set up for people with mental health issues.

The 50-year-old says she can’t let others down and will be continuing the free groups while also setting up her own personal coaching business to provide herself with an income.

“Losing the funding left me distraught and really knocked me back,” Vanessa said. “But I’m determined to keep the service going.”

Mental health is something the Spalding Common mum of four has struggled with herself, brought on by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after losing her husband while on military service, losing a child at birth and after experiencing abusive relationships.

For the past two years Vanessa has been able to run the four Safe Places groups thanks to funding from the NHS’s Management Care Network.

Vanessa said of the Safe Places scheme: “It’s been life-changing getting people back to where they want to be. We’ve helped so many people and seen them achieve amazing things and get back to work as as a result.

“I don’t want to let these people down and I can’t give up on anybody.

“People need this service and many have no-one else to talk to or nowhere else to go. That’s why I’m continuing to do this and I will carry on doing it even on a voluntary basis with the groups.”

Success stories include that of Mark Davis of Donington who was featured in The Voice last April after crediting Safe

Places with inspiring him to literally stand on his own two feet for the first time in a decade.

Two of the weekly groups meet at Ayscoughfee Hall and there’s also a group that meets in Pinchbeck.

Vanessa will still be provided funding by well-being charity Tonic Health to run a group at its facilities at 4pm on Tuesdays.

While Vanessa is determined to keep all of the groups free for those that need it most, she’s also launching her own business called Vanessa’s Life Coaching. “I still want to help people but I’ve got to earn a living,” she said of the new business.

Safe Places was set up alongside Tonic Health and Coun Jack McLean who continues to provide support.

He said: “Vanessa has worked tirelessly to build up the Safe Places. I wish her all the luck she so clearly deserves in this new venture.”

The NHS Foundation Trust say the funding, which ran for two years, was always intended to be limited and presented to help Vanessa start Safe Places.

Jane Marshall, director of strategy, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Mental Health Promotion Fund was established by Lincolnshire County Council and is managed on their behalf by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

“The funding is allocated annually by a panel made up of service users and health professionals, The money is used to support organisations that are based across the whole of the county.

“These organisations provide activities and support to people with mental health conditions or who have a learning disability to help them to live well in their communities.

“The fund has been available for six years and during this time, the groups that have received it have made a real difference to people’s lives. This year we have awarded funding to six new projects from the South Holland area.

“The fund is awarded to help start projects off the ground and to support new ideas.

“The aim has always been to help the set-up, with the view of providers becoming self-sustaining over time.

“This has always been made explicit as unfortunately the fund is limited and is always over-subscribed.

“We are sorry we cannot fund all the groups that apply but we have to make sure that new ideas and organisations are supported.”