Mental health crisis cafe opens in Kettering for teenagers

A crisis cafe for teenagers struggling with their mental health will run every Thursday evening in Kettering.

The crisis cafe at Youth Works, Rockingham Road, will offer a safe place for children aged 12 to 18 to go and receive support for their mental health.

Cindy Wrighting, chief executive officer at Youth Works, said: "Youth Works in Kettering are very pleased to be able to work with NHFT, the Lowdown and St Andrews in providing this exciting new provision.

"The Youth Crisis Cafes will provide young people with an alternative to already stretched provisions such as A&E and GP surgeries.

"We work with high numbers of local young people who are struggling with their mental health and whilst we are able to offer counselling and support through our existing services, there is often a long wait. We have not until now been able to offer support to young people there and then who are at crisis point."

The drop in sessions will run 4pm to 8pm every Thursday at Youth Works and there will be professional mental health workers to talk with.

Professionals at the cafe will be able to offer advice, support, and signposting or referrals to relevant organisations.

Anyone living in Northamptonshire can drop-in, whether they are in contact with mental health services or not. The last drop-in time is 7.30pm.

The crisis cafe is a pilot scheme being offered by a partnership of Northamptonshire mental health organisations and funded by NHS England.

St Andrew's Healthcare, The Lowdown, Youth Works and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have all teamed up to offer the crisis cafe.

It hopes the increased access to mental health support will reduce the number of young people in crisis being admitted to A&E.

Polly Gotschi, partnerships manager at St Andrew's Healthcare said: "All too often young people are finding themselves in a mental health crisis in our county, but do not know where to turn.

"This is a needed service, which will create a safe and accessible place for people aged between 12-18 who need urgent support.

"The cafes will also provide a genuine alternative to A&E, out-of-hour surgeries and reduce pressure on our local police."

The drop-ins will be open from 4pm to 8pm, with last arrival time at 7.30pm. You can access the Crisis Cafe through the front door of Youth Works on Rockingham Road, Kettering, and just ring the bell.