Pilot scheme to support people’s mental health extended

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in Mental health, News on 10th October, 2023

On World Mental Health Day, we are pleased to announce that a pilot project in Exeter supporting people’s mental health has been granted funding to continue into spring next year, meaning more people will benefit. 

Since July, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Mental Health Matters have been running activities at the Mooring Exeter Hub, making it a more holistic experience by providing emotional support to those in need and also giving them access to a wide variety of community resources. 

The Mooring Exeter Hub is one of three sites across Devon offering mental health support to people aged 18 or over in a safe, welcoming, non-judgemental and non-clinical environment. 

Set up to complement more traditional mental health services, people can pop into the Hub which is based at Wonford House, for a chat and a cuppa and access dedicated emotional, social or practical support from professionals. 

Since July, Exeter’s Mooring Hub has been offering activities alongside their usual support.

These include things such as peer-led support groups, tai chi, knit and natter and a mindful clay group which are known to support and improve mental wellbeing. These activities are collaboratively run with local community organisations to provide a taster session, helping to grow people’s social support networks. 

Additionally, housing officers run a clinic once a fortnight to support people who might be facing accommodation issues. 

Alfie Palmer, Clinical Operational Lead for the Moorings in Exeter and Lead Occupational Therapist at Devon Partnership Trust said: “We’re really pleased that the pilot will continue running and that we’ll be able to support more people and hopefully to offer more and more activities as awareness of our offer grows. 

“When it comes to improving mental health, we know how important it is to work alongside a person in a holistic way and consider all the things that matter to them. For example, being listened to and having a chance to share their experiences, keeping fit, having a safe place to live, support for family and carers, access to fun and meaningful activity, including work and education. It’s just as important as thinking about the things that might be impacting negatively on mental health such as finances, especially in today’s economic climate. 

“We’ve been doing some work to set up activities on a regular basis with other community organisations such as Sport in Mind, Devon Recovery Learning Community and New Leaf Exeter Community Initiatives Transitions Project and working alongside housing officers and domestic violence charity Fear Free to offer workshops and advice for people. 

“As well as helping people in the community, the sessions are also open to people on our wards who are preparing for discharge so that they have access to support prior to them leaving hospital and during this challenging transition.

“The aim is that we support people during their transition back into their community to help with their recovery and help set up some of those vital links beforehand to ensure that they can remain well in their community with a good network of support around them.”
 

Since the pilot began, more than 350 people have benefitted from the services and support offered. 

One service user who uses the Moorings face to face and the phone line, said: “The service is much needed and helps in a person-centred way. One thing we have appreciated is the professional yet friendly approach of the staff we have been supported by.

“They are able to upheld their boundaries for everyone’s safety but still offer a human approach nonetheless. This has meant we know where we stand and what to expect which helps us manage our mental health in itself. 

“Without the Moorings, we could have ended up in unsafe situations and I’m sure we can speak for many in saying the service is a lifeline. No one should feel alone and the Moorings make sure everyone has someone to turn to when they feel they need support.” 

Nee Bedford, Area Manager for Mental Health Matters in the South West added: “This year the theme of World Mental Health Day is mental health is a universal human right, so we’re really pleased to be working in such a collaborative way with DPT to try and support as many people as possible.  

“We only started running the activities in July, but we’ve already had some brilliant feedback from service users. It makes you really proud to be a part of what’s happening and knowing that the work is making a difference. 

“Now more than ever, VCSE organisations have such an important role to play in supporting statutory services and helping to ensure people get timely access to the right support for them. 

“Across our three sites in Devon last year we supported more than 2,500 new service users and we know from feedback that we prevented nearly 7000 people from calling First Response because of our services and that 114 people said the Moorings prevented a suicide attempt. 

“Anyone aged 18 or over can come to one of our locations – you don’t need to be referred or an appointment, just come in and see us.” 

You can find out all the activities happening at the Mooring in Exeter this month in the poster below.