No wrong door
Open Mental Health is a Somerset alliance of local voluntary organisations and the NHS. We are working in partnership to ensure that the residents of Somerset get the support they need, when they need it.
Lots of things can worry us. We've come together to provide 24/7 support to adults in Somerset. Whatever the issue - anxiety, serious mental health problems, debt, employment, housing, low mood, addiction - we're here to help.
By working in partnership, we ensure that there is 'no wrong door' for anyone who needs help. By giving people access to specialist mental health support, debt and employment advice, volunteering opportunities, community activities and exercise - all in one place - they can hope to live a full life.
Wellbeing for older people
Age UK Somerset is a local independent charity which offers services, activities, befriending and information to older people all across Somerset and North Somerset.
As the expert lead for older people in Open Mental Health, Age UK Somerset is working within the partnership to ensure that every older person who asks for it can receive the tailored support they need, when they need it.
The Friendly Phone Calls Service is a great example. Created at the start of lockdown to help people with isolation and anxiety, over 100 older people contacted the service in its first 14 days.
Many older people do suffer in silence but this initiative has sent out a message loud and clear: low mood, anxiety and isolation CAN be addressed with regular friendly phone calls!
Phil Dolan, Age UK Somerset, Chief Executive
Helping families cope
An independent local charity, The Balsam Centre delivers innovative health and wellbeing services. It provides holistic support connecting mental and physical health.
The Centre brings people together through its Café, Health Walks, Men’s Shed and social, therapeutic and skills-based activities. Through Covid-19, its online support has been a lifeline to many. One person said: “You’ve helped me feel safe and encouraged me to continue when life seemed bleak and hopeless”.
Open Mental Health has opened doors for us to extend our activities and services to people across South Somerset.
Sue Place, Balsam Centre Chief Executive
Trusted advice
Citizens Advice in Somerset provide free advice that enable clients to plan for and manage through key life events and change. From financial distress to problems with benefits or work, they believe that everyone should have someone trusted to turn to for help and advice.
We're delighted to be part of Open Mental Health. Together, we can support people to lead rewarding and independent lives with the confidence of knowing that help is at hand.
Angela Kerr, Somerset Citizens Advice Chief Executive
A safe place to talk
Mind in Somerset provide services and support to anyone in Somerset affected by, or vulnerable to, mental illness, by improving their quality of life and wellbeing.
An important service available to residents is Mindline: a 24/7 emotional support and mental health helpline. The service has grown massively during the pandemic, seeing up to 1000 calls per week. The helpline provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. They also share basic information about mental health and local support services.
Mind in Somerset are delighted to be part of such a unique and transformative project that is having a truly positive impact on the mental health services available to Somerset communities. We are here so no one needs face their mental health alone.
Joined-up services
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is the first NHS Trust on the English mainland to provide clinical, acute hospital, community health, mental health, learning disability and dental care services all in one place to people in Somerset.
They contact 1.7 million patients every year focusing on prevention and early support, helping people to stay well for longer.
Somerset Foundation Trust provide a range of assessments and treatments for people experiencing mental ill health. We work closely with our partners using our collective strengths to meet the needs of the people of Somerset.
Improving lives
Rethink Mental Illness work across England to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through a network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Rethink also provides supported accommodation services and a peer support project in Somerset.
In Somerset, Rethink provides the programme management for Open Mental Health, facilitating co-production with our expert by experience leaders group and overseeing the operational delivery of Open Mental Health.
We are hugely proud to be part of the trailblazing work that the Open Mental Health partnership is undertaking to transform community mental health care for people in Somerset. This sort of system change is only possible through collaborative working, allowing the voluntary sector, NHS, social care and experts by experience to come together to create real, holistic and lasting solutions for people in their community.
Beccy Wardle, Head of NHS Collaboration, Rethink Mental Illness
Building brighter futures
Second Step is a mental health organisation working in the South West that believes that with the right support, everyone can take control of their life and make their future their own.
We work with people across Mendip and Sedgemoor with moderate to severe mental health problems to get the right support at the right time, enable them to engage with their communities and to live a full life. The Somerset Crisis Safe Spaces opened virtually in December, co-designed by local people with experiences of mental health who wanted more support available in the community.
We’re delighted to be a part of this unique partnership which represents an innovative and significant change to mental health care in Somerset. By supporting some of the most vulnerable people, we're making sure no-one is forgotten.
Aileen Edwards, Second Step Chief Executive
Supporting the voluntary sector
Spark Somerset is the local infrastructure charity, supporting the voluntary sector across the county with information, advice and training. They also run the Volunteer Service. Their aim is to inspire strong, sustainable communities through voluntary and community action.
They have the role of Independent Chair of the Alliance and also run the Open Mental Health Buddy scheme working with people to help overcome their barriers, so that volunteering can play an important part in their journey to recovery.
We're so proud to be part of this transformative project and delighted to see how Open Mental Health is impacting positively on the wider voluntary sector. By encouraging meaningful collaboration and supporting the growth of new community-based projects, we are #BetterTogether!
Katherine Nolan, Spark Somerset Chief Executive
Preventative & recovery focused support
Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorder Association (SWEDA) is a user-led, pro-recovery, eating disorders charity whose interventions are based on the principles of self-help.
They are the only eating disorder charity in Somerset providing preventative and recovery focused support, and an alternative and complimentary provision to the NHS. Clients are supported through services offering help, guidance, information and awareness raising of eating disorders across the region.
SWEDA is delighted to offer our specialist mental health eating disorders provision within this unique partnership across Somerset. #proud to be a part of Open Mental Health!
Paula Blight, SWEDA Chief Executive
Power of peer
Chard WATCH reaches out and engages with isolated adults needing support. They believe change comes from within and help people fulfil their potential and make positive steps through workshops and activities like: art, reading, drama, personal awareness courses, IT, and most importantly peer relationships.
Members say that WATCH improves their confidence, introduces them to new friends, and helps them take their next positive steps.
As peer support lead for Open Mental Health, WATCH is really excited to be part of a partnership which recognises the ‘power of peer.’ Meeting other people who share a common experience and understand what you are doing really does make a difference.
Andrew Peacey, Chard WATCH Director
Open Mental Health works closely with its Expert by Experience Leaders to shape services and support people in Somerset. To find out more about what we do click the link below.
Anybody in need of mental health support can call Mindline Somerset on 01823 276892, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or email support@openmentalhealth.org.uk