They believe the ‘safe space’, set to operate from 8pm until 10am daily from St Andrew’s Place, in George Street, will be a vital addition to existing provision.
Paul Warwick, the Trust’s Clinical Lead of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), said: “Through discussions with young people they have told us that sometimes they need a place to go where they feel safe and are listened to.
“Our new service, part of the national drive to improve crisis care for young people, will allow us to draw up alternative plans so we can provide them with more appropriate, personalised support.”
Funded by NHS England, the ‘safe space’ will offer a safe, calm and welcoming environment for young people in acute emotional distress who are referred by the existing 24-hour CAMHS crisis service.
Providing rapid access to expert help for up to two young people at any one time – and up to four if it becomes permanent – the sanctuary will build resilience and focus on emotional and psychological well-being, reducing anxiety, improving coping strategies and enhancing perceptions of self-worth.
The service, which will be provided by Humbercare, which operates the Trust’s ‘crisis pad’ for adults at St Andrew’s, will be able to offer young people a secure place to go during the night, and to direct them to existing services for support if required.