Halton Borough Council and partners have launched the borough’s first monthly Mental Health Hubs in Runcorn and Widnes.
The unique concept is the culmination of Halton Health Improvement Team’s work over the past 18 months to bring local support organisations together and raise awareness of mental health among Halton residents.
During Mental Health Awareness Week in May this year, two ‘hubs’ were set up which engaged with more than 1,100 people in Runcorn and Widnes.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Marie Wright, said: ” Feedback from the public and professionals is that although mental health service provision in Halton is good, it can be confusing for members of the public to find the most appropriate service.
“The monthly hubs will not only help us raise awareness of local services but also provide a place where anyone can pop in and talk in confidence to a professional in a relaxed and informal way.”
If needed, Hub staff will be able to signpost residents to appropriate services.
The Hubs were officially launched in Runcorn on Thursday 7 September at Shopping City in the main square, where it will be based on the first Thursday of the month from 9am to 2pm.
In Widnes, the Hub will be based in Widnes Market and take place on the third Wednesday of the month starting Wednesday 20 September 2017, from 9am – 2pm.
Some of the services which have already signed up to be part of the Hubs include: Safeguarding, Parents In Mind, Halton CCG, CAMHS, Cheshire Police, Citizens Advice Halton, Amparo, North West Boroughs NHS Foundation Trust, Papyrus.