Formally launched in 2022 by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) to provide mental health support in local communities, the Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes are celebrating three years of success this May, having grown to a network of 25 cafes offering 40 weekly sessions that support an average of 800 people each month.
On Wednesday 14 May, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year focused on the importance of ‘community’ for our mental health and wellbeing, LPT and one of its Neighbourhood Cafes, Saff Caff, hosted a special celebration.
The event was also used to officially launch four powerful new café animations developed by local agency Kino Bino.
Laura Gray, project manager of Saff Caff (provided by Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council) said: “We were delighted to host the event with LPT and we invited some of the people who’ve been helped in a time of crisis and are now part of the Saffron Acres community.
“People are coming to our café for a host of reasons, but predominantly anxiety, depression, loneliness and everyday life stresses. We’ve offered that immediate support, and have been an alternative to people going to A&E or getting into a crisis.”
Local resident, Chris, one of the visitors to the Saff Caff, said: “I’ve been coming to the café for about six months thanks to my neighbour who brought me down, and it has taken me time to open up. For a while I struggled to talk as I’ve been brought up to not show weakness, which is not helpful. The staff are brilliant, and I can just show up with no pressure. Every Tuesday is now ‘me time’.
Tim, from nearby Beaumont Leys is a full-time carer for his mum and was encouraged to come to Saffron Acres by Laura. “Laura is very encouraging to say the least. I met her through a dog walking group and the next thing I am volunteering down here, one day a week to start with and now I come twice a week to help maintain the site. This place is my oasis of calm in a big city and, without a doubt, it has saved my life.”
The event will also premiere new promotional films about the cafés, all voiced by local people and scripted with support from a men’s mental health group run by Leicester City in the Community. These short films follow the journeys of Darren, Alex, Laura, and Maryam – characters based on real experiences – as they find hope and healing through their local cafés. Each animation explores a different mental health theme: anxiety, bereavement, caring responsibilities, and addiction.
Rob Melling, mental health transformation manager at LPT said: “It is fantastic to be where today with Laura and her team of staff and volunteers who make this such a special place, not just for the café visitors, but for anyone who wants to volunteer or spend time in nature.
“The huge numbers of people visiting our mental health cafés each month demonstrate how important it is to have local offers of support for people. The cafes are run by local voluntary sector partners who understand their communities and provide that warm, supportive space where people can just turn up and talk to someone.
“We want to promote the cafes to even more people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and are pleased to be launching these news films which we want to share with the public and our partners across the NHS, local authority, education and voluntary sector.”
Saff Caff, a Neighbourhood Mental Health Café in the heart of the Saffron Lane estate, is one of the cafés that’s been running for almost three years. They have seen and helped a number of people in the local community for a range of reasons.
Laura Gray added: “We’ve seen such a variety of people come through our doors. Often, a conversation is all it takes for someone to realise that a small practical step – like setting up an email to apply for a bus pass or planning a shopping list – can make a huge difference. What might seem minor to one person can transform another’s life.”
“We also help people move on to other projects, like our ‘Getting Help in Neighbourhoods’ initiative, which includes therapeutic gardening sessions and activities that continue to build confidence and connection.”
The Saff Café is just one of a network of 25 Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. To view all cafes, visit here.
The cafés provide a warm welcome, offering immediate, local support from people who truly understand the communities they serve. They have become a meaningful and supportive space where people can connect, talk openly, and get practical help when they are in a crisis. Whether someone’s struggling with their mental health or just needs to feel heard, the cafés are here to help—without judgment.
To view a comprehensive guide to mental health support, please visit: Mental health support – Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust