Important update about Healthy Minds Community Health & Wellbeing Service

Healthy Minds' Community Health & Wellbeing Service will finish at the end of September 2024.
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For the past two years, Community Health & Wellbeing Workers have been bringing advice, support and signposting to people’s doorsteps in areas across Calderdale.  This is a unique offer, in that support is delivered directly to households with no need for referrals or for some people, even having to leave their homes.  Workers have been recruited from the communities in which they work – their knowledge and relationships in local areas have been crucial in building trust and connecting people to the right support for their needs, whether through local GP surgeries, NHS mental health services or other community groups and organisations. 

The Community Health & Wellbeing Service was introduced as part of Calderdale’s Community Mental Health Transformation initiative: this is a national programme instigated and funded by NHS England to improve access to mental health support through partnerships in the health and social care system, including voluntary sector organisations such as Healthy Minds.  

In Central and North Halifax, Brighouse, Rastrick, Sowerby, Elland, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, the service team has been in contact with 2500 households and directly supported 327 people who were either not receiving any support beforehand or needed additional help. People have reported that this type of support has made a huge difference in their lives, often helping them to take the first step in tackling problems that have been causing worry and stress:   ​

"You have changed my life. My family are so proud of what I have achieved. I would not have been able to do this without your help." 

The Community Health & Wellbeing Service received funding for two and a half years and, although it has been incredibly successful as a new initiative in Calderdale, no ongoing funding has been identified and the service will finish at the end of September.

Between now and then, the team will work with households they have been supporting to ensure that their needs have been met as much as possible in the time remaining and have information about other services within Healthy Minds and other community providers. 

We remain committed to making emotional support available to all Calderdale’s communities and will endeavour to continue to provide some level of support in the areas the Community Health & Wellbeing team has served.  All of our other services still offer support, including peer support group activities, drop-ins, and Safespace (1-1 emotional support every day and evening). ​

Please explore our services on our website or call 01422 345154 to see what is available in your area. ​