Important Information Following the Recent Closure of Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Recent changes at Brighter Futures have led to the closure of three of its mental health and wellbeing support services: Clubhouse Network, Safe Spaces, and Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline.
These services have closed as of today, Friday 21 June 2024. The closure of theses services will impact many individuals who have relied on them for their mental health and wellbeing needs.
 
In response to this closure of the Clubhouse Network, the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) in partnership with Changes, North Staffordshire Mind, and the Coalfield Regeneration Trust have launched two new Wellbeing Centres which are set to be open from Monday 24 June 2024. The Wellbeing Centres will be available at:
 
The Dudson Centre
Hope St, Hanley, ST1 5DD.
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm.
 
Meir Community Education Centre
Pickford Place, Meir, ST3 7DY.
Thursdays, 9:30am to 2:30pm.
 
To support those who have been affected by these closures, we have also complied a list of organisations and services which offer mental health and wellbeing support:
 
  • Changes Health and Wellbeing - This is a user-led service which offers a range of services at various venues all across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. 
  • North Staffs Mind - This is our local mental health charity who can offer advice, counselling and support.
  • Samaritans - Whether you're having a difficult time or are worried about someone else, Samaritans will listen.
  • Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Talking Therapies - Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust's (MPFT) Talking Therapies is a free service which offers a range of talking therapies with a team of trained therapists.
National helplines: 
 
  • SANELine – This is a national out of hours mental health helpline. It offers specialist emotional support, guidance, and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. They are open every day from 4pm – 10pm on 0300 304 7000. They can also be contacted via email: [email protected] however, there is normally a 72-hour turnaround time for replies.
  • Samaritans – Available 24 hours a day 365 days a year by calling 116 123 (free from any phone)
  • National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – Available on 0800 689 5652 (6pm – midnight every day)
  • CALM – Available on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight every day). They also have a webchat service
  • SHOUT – Available via text, if you message SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service if you are in a crisis and need immediate help.
  • Papyrus HOPELINE UK – Available to under 35 year olds, struggling with suicidal feelings or concerns about a young person who might be struggling, on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or text 07786 209 697.  
  • Nightline - Students can look on the Nightline website to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
  • Switchboard – Available to people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day) or via their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.  
  • Cruse - the UK’s leading bereavement charity; provides a helpline run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief. Call 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am-3pm). 
  • Childline - a free, private, and confidential service where young people can talk about anything. Calls are free and confidential. Calls are not recorded, and their number won't show up on any phone bills. Call 0800 1111 (24 hours a day, every day). 
For urgent mental health support in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent please call 0800 0328 728 and press option 1. If you have a hearing impairment or are unable to use the telephone, you can text the All Age Access Team on 07739 775202 (please note: the text service is charged at your network providers rate).
 
If you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm, either to yourself or someone else, please phone 999.

If you have been affected by the closure, please share your story of how you have been impacted with us. Your experiences help us to advocate for better mental health support together.