Local MP visits Barnsley Street Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre

The Bethnal Green and Stepney MP met with staff and customers at the centre, which is England’s first neighbourhood mental health centre. During the visit, she learned more about the service and its partnership model, delivered by Look Ahead in collaboration with East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and the Tower Hamlets Mental Health Alliance.

Ms Ali was particularly interested in how early intervention and joined‑up working across the partnership helps reduce barriers to accessing mental health support, and how the service offers care in a way that is sensitive, accessible and rooted in the local community. The visit also included discussions around community safety and the role the centre plays in rebuilding trust and challenging harmful stereotypes about people with mental health support needs.

Hannah Lawless, Service Manager at Barnsley Street, said:

“By bringing together health, housing and community partners under one roof, we’re able to support people earlier and in a way that feels accessible and non‑stigmatising. Barnsley Street is about building trust locally, challenging misconceptions around mental health, and working alongside people to help them get the right support at the right time.”

At the end of the visit, Ms Ali expressed strong appreciation for the innovative and preventative work being delivered through the Barnsley Street partnership and spoke of her intention to champion longer‑term funding to help secure the service’s stability and sustainability.

This marks the third parliamentary visit to the service, which previously hosted the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, at its inaugural launch event and has also welcomed members of the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee.