Mental health hubs to launch in towns

Wellbeing hubs could be created in Spalding and Holbeach after a South Holland charity was given £200,000 to expand its fantastic work.

Tonic Health has been given the money by the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board to expand its Safe Places mental health support across the district.
Safe Places has been delivering crucial mental health support in the community for over six years, in the form of drop-in peer support groups and activities with sessions held on specific afternoons.
With the new money though its looking to create Wellbeing Hubs open from 9am to 5pm for anyone to drop in when they feel they might need it.
They would be based in based at Tonic Health’s Spalding centre in Broadgate House, and Holbeach Hub.
The existing Night Light Cafes will continue from both venues on two evenings each week, extending the wellbeing drop-in provision to 7pm on those nights.
In addition to the two main hubs, there will be pop-up hubs that will visit some of the towns and villages that currently have little, or no, wellbeing support.
Tonic Health is also looking to employ three community connectors.
Their job will be to work across the various services to ensure people across the region know where to get help and promoting the initiative How Are You Lincolnshire?, an online database of local provision, and providing a listening service, and signposting advice to individuals who are looking for wellbeing support.
A spokesman for Tonic Health, said: “This funding will empower us to significantly enhance mental health support services across South Holland, reinforcing its commitment to promoting mental well-being and offering a lifeline to individuals in need.
“The Safe Places mental health support group, initiated by Tonic Health, has garnered widespread recognition for its innovative approach to addressing mental health challenges.
“With this generous NHS funding, Tonic Health is poised to extend its reach and impact, ensuring that comprehensive mental health resources and assistance are accessible to a broader community within South Holland.
“The key strength to this new funding means there is the backing of the NHS support team should the need arise, making this an unrivalled service across the area.”
Ruth Taplin, Safe Places project lead, said: “The Safe Places project has received very little funding over the past two years, relying on donations and sponsorship to keep the project running.
“This funding provides assurance to staff, volunteers, and the people who attend our groups, that Safe Places is here to stay – and will be able to reach more people across the area”.
Chairman of the trustees, Michael Morris, said: “We are immensely thankful to the NHS for recognising the importance of accessible community mental health support and believing in our mission,” he said. “This funding allows us to amplify our efforts, touch more lives, and create a resilient community where mental health is a priority.
“This is a perfect example where statutory and community organisations can work hand-in-hand, supporting individuals in need locally within non-clinical, community settings”.
The key strength to this new funding means there is the backing of the NHS support team should the need arise, making this an unrivalled service across the area.
Tonic Health also delivers dementia support, groups for adults with special educational needs and youth provision, delivering from their three sites in Spalding, Tonic 44 Community Hub in Surfleet, and Holbeach Hub.
For more information, visit www.tonic-health.co.uk or follow or visit the Safe Places Facebook page.
For more information or to volunteer contact Ruth Taplin at safeplaces@tonic-health.co.uk, 01775 725059 or 07579 033347.