Charity organisations throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being given the opportunity to apply for funding to set up several Crisis Café’s across the county.
The grant programme has been established in partnership with Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and aims to provide funding for up to 25 Crisis Café’s across 12 different areas.
Each Crisis Café aims to provide a safe, supportive and welcoming space for individuals struggling with emotional and mental wellbeing who do not require immediate medical care. They are places that people can go to if they are experiencing a crisis, usually to access mental health support and advice as an alternative to attending A&E.
Those staffing the café’s will be peer support workers and volunteers, all of whom have experience in dealing with mental health issues. They spend as much time as needed with those who come in, providing support, advice and guidance, with the aim of steering them in the right direction for any further support or treatment.
There are four café’s already up and running – two in Leicester city centre, one in Loughborough and one in Market Harborough – all of which have seen a rise in the number of people through the doors post-pandemic.
Dave Cliffe, Sector Support Team Lead at VAL, comments: “We are incredibly proud to be working alongside the CCG and LPT to give local organisations the opportunity to apply for funding to set up and run more Crisis Café’s across the city and county. Our aim is to open 25 in total, extending the reach and providing vital support throughout communities.
“These café’s will be open to everyone, whether you’re struggling with substance abuse, stress, anxiety, financial worries or family troubles – there will be someone on hand to listen, support and help you plan the next steps.”
For more information on the Crisis Café grants, please visit https://valonline.org.uk/crisis-cafe-grants/ or email [email protected]. Each café location will be allowed to apply for a maximum of £30,000.
