Agenda item

Cllr Marc Besford wished it to be recorded for transparency purposes only that he was currently an employee of Catalyst Stockton-on-Tees.

The Committee received a presentation on the Stockton-on-Tees Wellbeing Hub.

Open in July 2024 and based in Wellington Square, the Wellbeing Hub was a one-stop shop for advice, guidance and support relating to any wellbeing issues, and brought together a range of expertise and organisations under one roof, making it easier for people to access local help and support.  Now the Hub had become established, an approach was made to Catalyst (a charity which acted as the overarching body to further the impact, reputation and opportunities of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector within the Borough, and which led on the Hub project) for an update on its achievements since opening.  Presented by the Wellbeing Hub Project Manager, the following information was provided:

·       Introduction: In 2021, NHS England funding was secured to initiate community mental health transformation for Tees Valley, with a focus on people being able to access provision within their communities rather than just via clinical settings.  Healthwatch led and supported feedback from local communities for the infrastructure of mental health services (2021), with recommendations presented for Stockton’s community mental health transformation.  The Stockton Lived Experience Forum voice (facilitated by local community organisations Red Balloons and Starfish Health and Wellbeing) in designing services had been, and continued to be, critical to the community transformation work.

·       Wellbeing Hub Official Opening – July 2024: Whilst the preference was to have opened sooner, the July 2024 launch ensured the required arrangements were in place from the beginning.  Involving a number of organisations, key partners included Catalyst, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) (a SBC adult mental health worker was present every morning), Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), Impact on Teesside, and Stockton and District Advice and Information Service (SDAIS), with the Hub enabling walk-in access to information on available mental health and wellbeing services, signposting to further opportunities for help, and pre-booked appointments with a range of support providers.  Nothing was done without a person’s consent (unless there was an identified safeguarding issue), and there was a clear sense that people were leaving the building feeling better / more upbeat about their future options.

·       Measuring Success / Data: Reporting to the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) on a quarterly basis, the Hub used both qualitative and quantitative methods to ascertain performance – this included footfall data, case studies, impact assessments, and evaluations on the overarching offer (it was noted that this would be further enhanced through the forthcoming work of an intern from Teesside University, a development which may help in securing future resources).  Statistics showed that the Hub had seen 1,660 walk-ins (including referrals in), with the main themes for attending being mental health (557), housing (201), bereavement (85), and drugs and alcohol (77).  Activity attendance was growing monthly, mainly thanks to Public Health small grants funding and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector offering services onsite without cost.

·       Case Stories: Examples were provided of people who had accessed the Hub, accompanied by quotes from the individuals themselves on their positive experience of the offer.  A selection of comments from partners working onsite were also included, emphasising the friendly and welcoming environment and the benefits of being co-located with other organisations (aided by robust information-sharing agreements which would shortly be reviewed to ensure relevance and appropriateness).

·       Single Referral Form for All Agencies: Badged as a ‘Welcome to Services’ form (rather than a referral form), this document had deliberately been designed to involve a simple format (in contrast to more clinical referral forms which could be time-consuming to complete) that only required basic personal information, along with a brief overview of the reasons for accessing the Hub, who the individual was currently engaging with / seeing regularly, and what they would like to achieve by coming to the Hub.

·       Providers: Seven providers enabling greater capacity of the VCSE sector to support those requiring mental health services and who formed part of the formal partnership were highlighted – Starfish Services Limited, Daisy Chain, Knockout Depression, JoVivi Consultancy and Coaching, Teesside Lupus Support Group, A Way Out, and Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation.  It was recognised that not everyone was able to travel into central Stockton to access the Hub – these services therefore worked to offer increased support within the wider community.

·       Become a Volunteer – Make a Difference: Opportunities for individuals to become volunteers at the Hub were promoted, with a volunteer’s story included to demonstrate the personal benefits from undertaking this role.  Further information was available via the Stockton Volunteers website.

Giving thanks for the presentation and the encouraging partnership-working that was a clear cornerstone of the Hub’s offer, the Committee praised the Wellbeing Hub Project Manager for leading this initiative with such enthusiasm, and for her ongoing efforts in delivering positive outcomes for those seeking support.

With regard the partners involved, clarity was sought on the work of PCP (Pioneering Care Partnership) – Members were subsequently informed that this organisation provided a diabetes peer support group, and that efforts were being made to expand the PCP offer within the Hub.  Following a further Committee query, it was confirmed that Citizens Advice Bureau (known locally as the Stockton and District Advice and Information Service (SDAIS)) was still involved (as a co-located partner), though it was noted that its provision was usually appointment-only rather than accessible via walk-in – it was also acknowledged that the Hub and SDAIS needed to strengthen information-sharing in relation to the number of referrals they made to each other.

Continuing the discussion around partners, the Committee heard that there was initial caution about bringing so many organisations together who likely had differing ways of working.  However, assurance was given that no issues had been encountered with or between those entities located at the Hub.  It was also emphasised that the Hub was not a crisis service, but that risk was appropriately managed where necessary (people could be very unwell when walking in).

The Committee asked if people from outside the Borough were accessing the Hub in central Stockton and were notified that there had been six ‘out-of-area’ walk-ins recorded since opening in July 2024.  Whilst no-one would be turned away, the vision was for individuals to be supported to get help more locally to them.  Members also heard that, although the current offer was for adults (18+), a handful of under-18s had approached the Hub and had been signposted accordingly – the anticipated development of a young people pathway would also help ensure this cohort were directed to available support in a timely and effective manner.

Concluding this item, the Committee commended efforts to explore further avenues for funding, particularly given existing finance streams may dry up.  Assurance was given that, as a result of support from the NENC ICB, the Hub would be maintained until at least March 2027, with a stated commitment for another 12 months taking this to March 2028.  There was also a desire to put forward joint funding bids with partners in order to safeguard, and build on, the current offer.

AGREED that the information provided in relation to the Stockton-on-Tees Wellbeing Hub be noted.