Published on: 12 July 2024
Thanks to the vital support provided by Derby Safe Haven, more local people in Derby have received immediate help with their mental health issues.
Derby Safe Haven, run by charity Richmond Fellowship, who have recently merged with Humankind, offers out-of-hours support on a self-referral basis every day of the week between 4.30pm to 12.30am for anyone struggling and needing a friendly face to talk to. The service operates on a face-to-face and telephone support basis for Derby residents experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
Safe Havens are focused on reducing immediate concern to those experiencing mental distress, to better support people to access the right help at the right time. The drop-in service offers a relaxed, welcoming space for individuals to come and chat, or to receive more personalised one-to-one emotional support from a professional trained in mental health. This service promotes health and wellbeing, particularly focusing on ways to help people to manage their thoughts and feelings in a crisis, as well as signposting to other available services that may offer additional support. Safe Havens are run by Recovery Workers trained in emotional support.
Derby Safe Haven has received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback about the support that has been offered to local residents. Comments include:
- “The team here are amazing, a thank you doesn’t seem enough.”
- “The staff here are wonderful, some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Every time I spoke to one of them, I could see how much they genuinely cared about me.”
- “All members of staff here have been caring, considerate and helped me more than they will ever know, and I am so grateful for this.”
- “Thank you for this safe space, it truly feels like a completely safe place and has helped me to feel heard and less confused.”
- “It has been good and very supporting. I found it easier to express feelings face-to-face, thank you.”
- “Talking and looking at things from a different perspective and realising that I can change my way of thinking. This is just another dark phase, and it will pass.”
A mental health crisis often means that someone no longer feels able to cope or be in control of their situation.
They may feel emotional distress or anxiety about their ability to cope with day-to-day life or work. They may think about harming themselves, or taking their own life, or experience hallucinations and/or hear voices.
Rubine Sharif, Registered Manager at Derby Trevayler Services – Richmond Fellowship, where the Safe Haven is situated, said: “We welcome people from all walks of life to engage with our service if they are experiencing significant distress with their mental health. We provide a safe, comfortable and non-judgemental space to aid people’s journey to recovery, including signposting to other local organisations too.
“Our team of professionals are committed to supporting our local community here in Derby to address their immediate mental health needs through listening and empowering people to change their outlook on life.
“This is an extremely rewarding role, particularly when people praise those who have made the team what it is today – we hope we can continue to increase footfall into the service and help more people to improve their mental health one day at a time.”
There are a range of other local support services for people with immediate mental health needs in Derby and Derbyshire:
- The Derby Safe Haven (309 Burton Road, Derby DE23 6AG) open every evening from 4.30pm to 12.30am: 0330 0083722
- The Chesterfield Safe Haven (188 North Wingfield Road, Grassmoor, Chesterfield, S42 5EJ) open every evening from 4.30pm to 12.30am: 01246 949410 or make a booking online.
- The Buxton Mental Health Crisis Support Drop-In service (High Peak Crisis Support Service, Zink HQ, Clough Street, Buxton, SK17 6LJ) open Fridays and Saturdays 6pm to 11pm, and Sundays 2.30pm to 5.30pm
- The Ripley Mental Health Crisis Support Drop-In service (The Croft, Slack Lane, DE5 3HF) open Fridays and Saturdays 6pm to 11pm, and Sundays 2.30pm to 5.30pm
- The Swadlincote Mental Health Crisis Support Drop-In service (12-14 West Street, DE11 9DE) open Fridays and Saturdays 6pm to 11pm, and Sundays 2.30pm to 5.30pm
- The mental health helpline and support service – available 24/7: 0800 028 0077
- Go to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) or call 999 in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
The Safe Havens, Crisis Houses and Mental Health Drop-In Services are part of a wider programme of partnership activity led by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Joined Up Care Derbyshire which aims to improve outcomes for people and reduce the need for people to attend hospital Emergency Departments when they are experiencing immediate mental health needs.
If you, or someone you care for, needs urgent mental health crisis support please seek immediate help.
For more information on available services for immediate mental health support, please visit the Derbyshire Healthcare website.
