A new Safe Haven, run by mental health non-profit Everyturn Mental Health, opened its doors in North Tyneside this week, allowing local people to access mental health support quicker and easier.
The new service – the region's third NHS safe haven - opened on Wallsend high street providing drop-in emotional and practical support for people experiencing mental health crisis. It will open 2pm-10pm, 365 days a year, and help to ease pressure on NHS crisis teams, A&E, the police, and other services.
Like other charitable organisations across the region, Everyturn has seen a surge in demand for its crisis services due to social, environmental, and economic pressures on people in the region. Last year, over 18,000 people accessed Everyturn’s crisis services, with 3,000 people seeking support from the Northumberland and Newcastle Safe Havens for financial, housing and relationship issues.
Opening this week, the new home for the North Tyneside Safe Haven has undergone major refurbishment, following investment from NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and North Tyneside Council. The Safe Haven has been created with the help of local residents, who have offered their lived experiences to co-design and name the service: The Anchorage.
Samantha Kitula, Senior Development Manager at Everyturn Mental Health, commented: “We are delighted to be opening our third North East Safe Haven; offering new ways for local people to access mental health support in the heart of North Tyneside.
“Our Northumberland and Newcastle Safe Havens have already shown how vital these community-based mental health services are. They are not only helping local people to access practical mental health in the right place, at the right time, but also easing pressures on other NHS services.
“We hope that our continued work with our partners, including the NHS, local council, and local charity and community organisations in creating this new Safe Haven will help ensure that nobody struggles alone.”
Levi Buckley, the ICB's Chief Delivery Officer, said: "It's so important that the right support is there when we need it, and we are adding to the range of NHS mental health services across the region.
"Safe havens offer not just help in a crisis, but also support with the problem that may have caused it, like housing, money, drugs or alcohol. The team can put you in touch with a range of services depending on what kind of support you need."
Karen Clark, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Council, said: “The opening of the Safe Haven in our borough is more than just a new service, it’s a statement of our joint ambition to make sure our residents have access to the right support when they need it.
“As well as offering practical support, care and understanding, the launch of a service like this on a high street is breaking the stigma that mental health struggles should be kept hidden. I’m incredibly proud of the partnerships that make this possible and look forward to seeing first-hand the positive impact it has for residents.”
For more information on The Anchorage and other Safe Havens, visit www.everyturn.org/safe-haven.
ENDS