Two Community Connectors, appointed as part of a trial to provide mental health help, say the service has been a success in the run up to completing its first year.
Jo Ireland and Vanessa Collins’ aim is to work on the ground and direct people to get the help they need.
“We work closely with a huge range of local and national organisations to ensure we can get people access to things such as financial support, housing advice, volunteering and work programmes,” said Jo, who was previously a teaching assistant with Spalding Primary School.
“Plus we can recommend a vast array of social-based activities and opportunities to try new things. It doesn’t matter what issues people present us with, we will do our best to address them and work with them to find solutions where possible – often if we don’t know the answer, we know people who will know!”
Jo says the pair enjoy finding out about the various groups on offer.
“We have been surprised at the amount of things going on in our community that we had no idea about. There is a vast amount of activities and community support available, but sometimes people just don’t know about it. We are doing our very best to highlight and signpost people to relevant support.
“Unfortunately, loneliness and social isolation is an issue we encounter frequently, and for some, the lack of transport in more rural areas means they cannot access things easily.
“We are so fortunate that Lincolnshire was chosen as one of the areas to trial the Mental Health Transformation Programme, and the concept of a more rounded and collaborative approach to Mental Health Services can only be a good thing.
“Bringing community and charity groups under the umbrella with statutory NHS services gives a much stronger network of support. It also means that wider problems can be addressed such as domestic violence, financial hardship, unemployment and housing problems which could be adding to mental health deterioration.”
Jo and Vanessa hold a host of wellbeing hubs for anyone to go along, chat and be referred for further support if needed.
They include a coffee morning at Spalding Library 10am to 12pm on Wednesdays and one at Tonic Health’s Holbeach Hub on Boston Road South on Tuesdays 12pm to 3pm.
There’s also a coffee and cake morning at Tonic Health Spalding on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 10am to 12pm.
You can also contact them by emailing sp******@co****************.uk or contact 07471 465111.
