Southwark Neighbourhood Mental Health Support Project

PCN Deputy Service Manager: Chanelle Thompson

Head of Regional Operations: Matina Marougka

The service has a place-based community focus and is a primary care network team. This means rather than having an office base, it is dynamic and flexible in the way our Wellbeing Workers reach out to people in their communities.

To access support please email us at pcn-referrals@together-uk.org. Please note referrals can only be made to the service through social prescribers, mental health practitioners and GP’s.

The Southwark Neighbourhood Mental Health Support Project helps to manage the high numbers of people experiencing levels of mental distress who could be supported by a Mental Health Wellbeing Worker rather than a member of the clinical team. The Mental Health Wellbeing Workers work across the community across the North and South Southwark neighbourhoods.

This pilot project involves working alongside the Southwark NHS Primary Care Network (PCN) where we receive referrals from their Social Prescribers.

The Southwark Neighbourhood Mental Health Support Project has been commissioned by South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) and is delivered by Together for Mental Wellbeing. In delivering the service, Together for Mental Wellbeing work in Partnership with QUAY Health Solutions (North Primary Care Network) and Improving Health Ltd (South Primary Care Network).

The Southwark Neighbourhood Mental Health Support Project compliments the newly developed community roles of Link Workers and Social Prescribers in the borough. Our Mental Health Wellbeing Workers meet with residents in community locations, including coffee shops, libraries, and, with appropriate safeguarding and risk assessment provisions in place, in their own homes.

Support provided by the team takes a one-to-one person-centred approach, offering goal oriented practical and emotional support to empower the person to build self-confidence and self-agency. Our staff provide support to access services in the community multiple times to allow for increased social engagement and build self-confidence, providing up to 12 weeks of in-person, telephone or online support.

The service provides a confidential and safe environment to allow for a constructive personable relationship to develop between staff and the person using the service. Our staff support people experiencing mental distress and complete a wellbeing plan, which includes goal setting. We support people who use the service to live independently in the community and work alongside them to help empower and motivate them.