An ambitious project is underway in Northallerton which will see the creation of a safe space for people in crisis or in need of support.
The Livings Rooms is a unique initiative which involves creating a hub in Northallerton where it will be ‘okay not to be okay’.
It will provide people of all ages with a place they can go if dealing with issues from loneliness to depression, stress or addiction, or for people who need somewhere to feel safe.
Once up and running, it will be staffed by a paid mental health champion and trained volunteer workers, who can provide a space to talk, or signpost people to other services. It is hoped some of the services, such as the local foodbank, will have a regular presence at the venue.
The project has been pioneered by Steve Cowie, from the New Life Baptist Church in the town. The church has joined forces with representatives from the Anglican, Methodist and other church groups in the town and Hambleton FoodShare, who together form a board of trustees.
They have also formed partnerships with a broad range of other organisations such as an accredited debt advice organisation and local health services to offer a wide range of crisis-support.
The Living Rooms project has identified premises on the Garthway Arcade in Northallerton and is waiting for charitable status to be awarded by The Charity Commission before finalising the lease.
Steve said although they understood there was a need for these kind of local support in the town, work on the project began in earnest in 2017, after they spoke with statutory and voluntary organisations in the town, including the police, the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), mental health organisations, local councils and the Police and Crime Commissioners’ office.
They then commissioned the Cinnamon Network to carry out a survey with the main statutory groups in the town to find out what the main needs were locally. About 25 organisations in the area were then asked to prioritise those needs.
“What came out was a need to address mental health linked with social isolation and social exclusion,” said Steve.
“We’re not trying to fix people’s problems, but when it’s up and running, they can come and have a cup of tea and speak about their problems.
“There will be different things going on such as crafts etc in a corner of the room and there will also be somewhere people can sit on their own.
“We’re linking with Hambleton FoodShare, as for some people food may be an issue. If so, there can be an opportunity to have a food parcel then and there.”
He said organisations such as the foodbank and debt advice service may operate a daily or weekly service at the centre, but even if they’re not based there all the time, people can make an appointment and still find some form of support when they arrive at the centre.
He said GPs in the town had also expressed an interest in potentially socially prescribing patients to the project with issues such as low-level stress or loneliness.
Steve said overall, it is important the space will be a “calm and calming” presence in the town centre.
Mental health will be a major focus.
“Anecdotally we were aware there was a need for this, but the need for mental health support and people to be supported through stressful situations has come so much to the fore recently,” he said.
“Every week there’s stories about mental health issues with young people, old people, in work places, universities; people in the public eye and royalty have come out saying they’ve experienced these problems.
“We know one in four people will suffer some kind of mental health episode at some stage in their life.”
For more information, or to volunteer with the project, email Steve Cowie at; stevecowie@nlbc.org.uk
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