Mental Health Matters has officially launched additional Safe Havens across Kent and Medway, including one in Ramsgate.
Safe Havens offers practical, drop-in emotional, social and mental health support seven days a week, with no appointment necessary.
Over the past year, Mental Health Matters safe havens in Kent and Medway have supported more than 1,800 people from four locations.
Now, following investment through NHS Kent and Medway’s Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme, Mental Health Matters has established Safe Havens at nine sites across Kent and Medway.
Community shelters are available from 6pm to 11pm in seven towns (Ramsgate, Folkestone, Canterbury, Gillingham, Dartford, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells) and there are already two other shelters operating 24/7, in Medway and at the QEQM Hospital in Margate. The QEQM shelter will be open 24/7 from 15 July.
Ramsgate Safe Haven is located on the former site of the House of Dawg at 42 High Street.
Kate Langford, medical director for NHS Kent and Medway, said: “We constantly hear from people who have had experience of mental health services that they prefer to have community support to stay well and prevent a crisis from escalating.
“We are pleased to now have more safe havens across Kent and Medway as we continue to work to transform and improve mental health care for all.”
Safe Havens can help people struggling with a range of difficulties that can cause distress, including loneliness and isolation, financial worries and relationship problems, and works closely with other support services to provide people with the right help.
Peter, a resident who received help from the Thanet centre (QEQM), said: “I have been going to Safe Haven for three years now. The team have been my emotional support when I am very anxious. They listen to me and have helped me to accept how I am feeling. They have not let me down once.”
Thanet Safe Haven moved from its base at Holy Trinity Church in the Dane Valley to the QEQM Mental Health unit last November.
A launch event in Maidstone today (11 July) brought together more than 50 people from across the NHS, emergency services and community organisations to raise awareness of the new Safe Havens and the support they offer.
Events are planned at each of the nine safe havens to raise awareness of their location and the support they offer to local people.
To find your local Kent and Medway Safe Haven site, visit mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-havens
To find out what other mental health services and support are available to local people, visit the website Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Centre.
