Look Ahead welcomes Government plan for new community mental health centres

We are pleased to see the unveiling of the plans, which aim to give people experiencing a mental health crisis or significant distress faster access to specialist support in their communities. We are confident that these services will help reduce pressure on hospital A&E departments and ensure people can access the right support where they need it.

Look Ahead’s Barnsley Street Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre in Bethnal Green, east London, is one of the six services that has helped pilot this approach, funded by NHS England. Developed and managed in partnership with the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and the Tower Hamlets Mental Health Alliance, the centre brings together a range of expertise. Barnsley Street combines clinical, social care, and third sector support, offering planned and drop-in sessions as well as short-stay hospitality beds for people who need overnight support.

The service has already improved outcomes for individuals offering a way out of hospital or an alternative to admission altogether, while easing pressure on NHS resources.

Chris Hampson, Chief Executive of Look Ahead, said:

“We are pleased that the Government has committed to expanding community mental health centres nationwide.

“At Barnsley Street Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre, we have seen first-hand the difference this kind of integrated, community-based support can make. When housing, health, social care and voluntary sector partners work together around people’s needs, we can help people access support earlier, recover closer to home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

“This announcement is an important recognition that safe, welcoming and well-supported community settings have a vital role to play in helping people through crisis, supporting recovery and building resilience.
“As one of the organisations helping to trial this model, Look Ahead is proud to be contributing to the development of a more preventative, person-centred approach to mental health support. We look forward to continuing to work with Government, NHS partners, local authorities and the voluntary sector to help make these ambitions a reality.”

The Barnsley Street Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre is part of Look Ahead’s wider work to deliver specialist housing, care and support services that help people with mental health needs live well and independently in their communities.