Agenda item

The Leicestershire Partnership Trust submits a report and presentation to update the Commission on the Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes scheme which was launched in 2021/22 to support adults in local neighbourhood settings when experiencing mental health distress.

The lead for Mental Health Improvement and Transformation and the Executive Director for Mental Health at the Leicestershire Partnership Trust presented the update on the Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes scheme which originally launched in 2021/22. It was noted that:

·       It had been a collaborative scheme and there were nine Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (VCSE) who operated the weekly mental health cafes which were located across the city.

·       Work had taken place with Public Health to identify the areas of high need and that the diversity of the city was represented ensuring they were accessible.

·       The organisations running the cafes represented the local communities. The scheme thrived due to the organisations understanding the individuals and their needs when they walked through the door.

·       The cafes offered open access to individuals who experienced mental health distress, it provided an opportunity to discuss how they were feeling or offered a quiet place.

·       The recovery workers in the cafes had a varied skill set and had been provided with a lot of training to prepare them for what could be presented by people attending the cafes with a myriad of different issues. They were offered coping strategies, risk and safety planning, psychological self-help and coping tools.

·       3500 individuals had accessed the cafes and they were demonstrating increasing resilience.

·       Information had been gathered to understand the individual experiences. The primary concerns were anxiety and depression.

·       Most of the support offered is in-person but there is also text messaging, phone and online support. This had allowed those who were not able to travel to still be able to access the cafes support.

·       There had been varied use across localities. New Park was noted to be particularly active. Eyres Monsell had not been open long but access was increasing continuously.

·       Demographic breakdown of those who have access the cafes show:

o   More women were accessing the cafes. Work was ongoing to consider the best ways to support men.

o   Ethnicity appeared to align with the JSNA with high use from White and Asian backgrounds, however this demonstrated the need for more work to be done around Black and African populations and other ethnic groups that were not represented in the data.

o   Younger adults were not reflected in the data. There was a university offer but more work was still required, particularly to cover what the cafes could offer as young people transition from children’s services to adults. Largely older population, particularly those who had been bereaved.

o   Higher attendance from those who were retired or unemployed.

o   More work was required to understand access to the cafes for those with disabilities.

·       Although collecting data was important to the team, they were mindful that they didn’t want to overwhelm individuals visiting the cafes with a barrage of questions.

·       The main presenting needs found at the cafes were depression, anxiety, isolation, needing practical support and stress. The staff support the individual and consider other factors and challenges which may impact their presenting issues.

·       The cafes provided an alternative in support which diverted individuals away from other primary healthcare access.

·       Support offered included one to one tailored support and positively signposting. Escalation pathways were available in the cafes if required.

·       The work that had been done by VCS organisations couldn’t be praised enough. Although there was still work to do, the cafes were heading in a really positive direction.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       The VCS organisations running the cafes were from the local communities so were trusted.

·       Signposting was provided once repeat visitors were in a position to be moved on in their recovery, it was recognised the social aspect and connection were valued. Another grant funded programme worked alongside the cafes. Repeat visitors had allowed individuals to begin to build their own networks in their community though.

·       Collaborative working with the Local Authority and VCS allowed a real understanding of local communities to underpin the work.

·       It was suggested that the Suicide Strategy work would link well with the cafes.

·       The majority of individuals using the Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes were from the city and this was reflected in the service delivery.

·       On an annual basis, there was a £30,000 grant for provisions and for 6 hours of café time per week. Across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland there were 44 sessions run a week. Modelling had been done around similar schemes across the Midlands and this scheme benchmarked well in comparison and provided good value for money.

·       Concerns were raised that the good work done by the cafes in the city would be undermined if the funding was affected.

·       It was essential VCSE organisations were provided with appropriate training and skills to handle this, as well as having their own wellbeing protected. Over the last 12 months, there had been development of a psychological framework for VCSE staff to ensure their own wellbeing. Ensuring a healthy, resilient workforce was essential as vicarious trauma could have a significant impact, especially as very local people were working in the cafes.

·       There was ongoing work with the Bradgate Unit to consider how the cafes could be part of discharge plans and support.

·       The number of cafes was a result of the number of PCN’s that existed in 2021. This changed but the cafes managed to extend their provision.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.