A new clinical framework
The framework is all about giving people the tools to live well and moves away from the goal or expectation of ‘fixing’ or being ‘fixed by’, moving instead to courageous but hopeful conversations. It carries out assessments based on people’s needs, to make sure they get the right care when and where they need it.
Our whole team will work together using proven approaches that can help with a range of mental health needs. We’ll use a “stepped” approach, which means we will match the level of support to what each person needs at the time.
If someone does not need our services, we will help them find support in the community that works better for them. If someone’s needs increase, we can quickly connect them to more support, including crisis teams or other mental health services, to make sure they get the right care when they need it most.
Education and support
A big part of our approach is helping people understand their mental health and wellbeing. We do this by offering education and support so they can learn how to manage their symptoms and stay well. We also help their families, friends, and carers understand how to support them, when to ask for more help, and how to look after their own wellbeing too.
This approach gives people more control over their lives. It helps them build useful strategies to stay well and avoid future problems. It also makes sure that people—and those who care for them—know when and how to get more support. This gives them confidence, knowing they are not alone and can reach out for help when they need it.
Social prescribing and connecting with partners
Social prescribing is about taking the time to understand what matters to someone and helping them connect with local services that can support their health and wellbeing. These services are often run by charities or community groups and can include both social and educational activities.
These can be specially designed for certain health conditions, cultural communities, or age groups. Others are activity-based— singing, painting, football, or gardening—which can help people feel better and more connected.
Our community connectors will use social prescribing to support people’s wellbeing or to help them stay well while they wait for more specialised support.
Regular reviews and patient-initiated support
There is a high demand for our services, and we want to make sure people are not left waiting when there might be better options available to help them sooner. That is why we regularly review our waiting lists to check on how people are.
If someone is struggling while waiting, we find out if there is extra support we can offer or if there are local community services they may not know about that could help.
We know that getting support early can stop things from getting worse. It can also help people avoid needing to return to their GP or reaching a crisis point.
We also encourage patient-initiated contact, meaning if someone’s situation changes while they are waiting, they can contact us directly. That way, we can review their needs and offer support more quickly when it’s needed.