Prime Minister visits mcch’s Wellbeing Centre

The Prime Minister visited mcch’s Wellbeing Centre on Monday 9 January to talk about her vision for improved mental health provision and to hear from people who use services what’s important for them. This followed her earlier speech about the need to improve mental health nationally.

Ruth Webster, the centre’s manager, spoke with Theresa May and was positive about the visit: “The Prime Minister seemed very interested in what we are trying to achieve here at the Wellbeing Centre and with the Safe Haven out of hours crisis service. She was also impressed to hear about our successful partnership working with other organisations.”

The Wellbeing Centre and Safe Haven works in partnership with so many organisations, namely Hampshire County Council, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG, Citizens Advice, Sanctuary Supported Living and Catalyst. Each organisation provides their expertise to support people with their mental wellbeing.

Kirsty has been coming to mcch’s Wellbeing Centre since it opened and spoke to the Prime Minister about her experiences: “I needed a service that would treat me as a person, with dignity and respect, and not just about my diagnosis. I’ve certainly found that here and that’s something the Prime Minister felt was so important. I’m still in a whirlwind about the visit and that I got to tell her my story. I am extremely proud that both the Wellbeing Centre and Safe Haven out of hours crisis service are getting the recognition that they deserve. The services are truly a lifeline for me.”

The Wellbeing Centre supports people to manage everyday living skills, access activities within the community and to manage their mental wellbeing. We run a number of groups including depression and anxiety, creative writing and peer-led groups.

The Safe Haven is an out of hours crisis service run from the Wellbeing Centre, often used as an alternative to attending A&E. The relaxed and informal nature of the service, backed up by a strong clinical support framework, has proved valuable for many people in mental health crisis.