Mental health cafés available for those in need this Christmas

This festive season NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire Mental Health Support and Telford Mind want to remind residents that they aren’t alone, and anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can get help over the Christmas period and throughout the cost-of-living crisis.

‘Calmer Cafes’ or ‘Calm Cafes’ run by mental health support workers offer a service for people who are struggling with their mental health, who need a safe place to talk, support or simply to be among others this Christmas.

The Calmer Cafés in Shropshire are a well-used support facility that Shropshire Mental Health Service provide and can be found in Shrewsbury and Oswestry – due to restrictions in numbers, you will need to call prior to visiting to book a place.

The Calm Cafes delivered by Telford Mind offer people living in Telford & Wrekin a similar space to support people with their emotional and mental health. No appointment is necessary and as well as offering support, professionals can also refer and direct people to further services if required. Calm Cafés in Telford & Wrekin can be found in Oakengates, Telford Town Centre and Sutton Hill.

Shropshire support:- 

Heather Ireland, Manager of Shropshire Mental Health Service, said: “There are a myriad of reasons why someone’s mental health might take a hit over the festive season. Christmas can be a difficult time, this could be from the “pressures” of Christmas day itself, the financial cost, family tension and expectations can be high. Feelings of stress and pressure can sometimes leave us feeling isolated and it is important to know that there is support out there.

“To access the Calmer Café's, in Shropshire you will need to book in advance by calling 01743 368647    You will be greeted with a friendly smile and somewhere to sit and chat with people. Complimentary drinks and biscuits are also available.

“We have many people who reach out to us, one lady I recently spoke to told me that without the café she didn’t think she would have got through the last 12 months, following the loss of her brother and another who told the team that the café saved her life during the darkest period of her life.”

Where to find help: 

To access the Shropshire Mental Health Service, Calmer Cafés, call: 01743 368647

Calmer Café No. 1 - Shrewsbury

Upstairs at Shropshire MHS – Suits 3&4 Observer House, Hollywell Street, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6LB.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. (Open on Friday 23 December and Wednesday 28 December)

5.30pm – 9.30pm

Calmer Café No. 2 - Oswestry

12A Salop Road, Oswestry SY11 2NU.

Thursday 4pm -8pm (Will remain open on Thursday 22 December and Thursday 29 December)

 

Telford  support:- 

Telford Mind Calm Cafés:

To access the Telford Mind Calm Cafes, call: 07434869248 

Outpost Oakengates, TF2 6EP

Monday 5pm – 8pm

 

Meeting Point House, TF3 4HS

Tuesday & Thursday 5pm – 8pm

 

Hub on the Hill, TF7 4HG

Wednesday 5pm – 8pm

 

Calm Cafes are closed for Christmas bank holidays and on 31 Dec 2022, 1 Jan, 2 Jan and 3 Jan 2023 - https://telford-mind.co.uk/calm-cafe/

There is also plenty of other support available to you if you need urgent help.

Contact Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on 0808 196 4501. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you call, you’ll speak to a professional in your local NHS mental health service. They can discuss your current mental health needs and provide further support if needed. Call the NHS urgent mental helplines are free.

If you would prefer to text someone, you can text “SHOUT” to 85258 for free from all major UK mobile networks. You’ll then be connected for an anonymous conversation by text message. This is not an NHS. This free, confidential, 24/7 messaging mental health support service is run by a charity called Mental Health Innovations.