New community-based service to launch for people with long-term mental health difficulties
Open Mental Health VCSE Alliance in partnership with Somerset Foundation Trust has won the contract to set up a new community-based service for people with long-term mental health problems
The Alliance —a trailblazing partnership of the NHS and the voluntary sector in Somerset –bid to provide the service using the collaborative and consultative model it has championed since inception. Voluntary sector partners Rethink Mental Illness, Second Step and Mind in Somerset will work with NHS colleagues to deliver a flexible, safe, and innovative service to help people live more independent and fulfilling lives. Working closely with the NHS, the new service aims to help reduce people’s dependency on hospital-based services and find new ways to support people’s hopes and dreams.
The service, due to be formally launched in March 2023, will provide responsive, culturally sensitive, holistic person-centred support on a one-to-one, in-person basis. It will be aimed primarily at people with high-level needs who have lived for many years in institutions, endured repeat hospital admissions and who have experienced trauma and difficulties with living independently in the past
Support will be delivered in a trauma-informed way focusing on people’s individual goals and hopes and working together to overcome barriers often faced by people moving back into their communities. The service, which was developed with the input of people with lived experience of using mental health services, will operate across the county employing a multi-disciplinary team. It will continue to work closely with people who use rehabilitation services to help shape the service as it develops. In line with our ‘No Wrong Door’ policy, other services, including out of hours support will be available from both NHS and the wider Open Mental Health Alliance.
Initially the service will offer support throughout the week, including weekends, between 10am-8pm. Our 24/7 Crisis Safe Spaces and Mindline will continue to offer additional support. For any inquiries or further information about the Community Rehabilitation service, please email OMHComms@rethink.org.