Mental health service to help the homeless
HOMELESS people with mental health conditions are being given a helping hand by a new service to keep them off the streets.
A new project has been launched by Macclesfield’s mental health services provider Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) and Cheshire East council to give extra support to homeless people with mental health problems.
It aims to make sure patients have somewhere to live after a stay in hospital and includes emergency beds for when they are in trouble.
Kate Chapman, CWP modern matron, said: “This is a really worthwhile investment as we hope to stop the revolving door between mental health services and life on the street. We already provide excellent care to those accessing our inpatient and community mental health services. This project is about improving provision beyond that initial support and offering some stability to those who need it.
“The step-down beds will allow people with nowhere to stay the time to establish the foundations so that they can go on to lead a better life thanks to support from CWP and the local coun- cil.”
Two new staff members, known as housing and health link workers, have been recruited by the council and trained by the authority with CWP’s community and inpatient teams so they can help people cope with the transition of being in the care of mental health services and into suitable accommodation. The scheme includes the creation of a number of emergency beds in the community to help Link Workers provide housing support and medical assistance where required, with the aim of ensuring people are not re-admitted to acute wards after discharge.
Coun Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “We are delighted to launch this service which will provide seamless multi-agency assistance to some of the most vulnerable residents of Cheshire East. The service will also help them to remain independent in the community and avoid prolonged hospital stays.”
According to national charity Shelter, more than 250,000 people are homeless in England, with many living from mental health issues. To find out more about mental health support in your area please visit cwp.nhs.uk