Mental health service cuts in Stoke-on-Trent

Clubhouse Network, Safer Space and helpline users were told last week that from 21 June the services will no longer be available

Three mental health services in Staffordshire are set to be cut at the end of June due to uncertainty about their funding.

The Clubhouse network has provided immediate access to mental health support and social activities for 24 years.

The housing service Bright Futures announced that from 21 June its Clubhouse, Safer Space and helpline services would be cut, citing the likely loss of funding from health bosses.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board said it was reviewing all its voluntary sector grants, but that none had yet been withdrawn.

' A lifeline'

Sarah Campbell who has been attending the network for the past two years said it kept people out of hospital.

“We just can’t believe it, that place is like a lifeline for me, it’s kept me out of hospital so many times when I’ve been in a really, really bad place," she said.

“Just having them on the other end of the phone and attending the groups just makes a massive difference.

"To go from all of that to nothing in three weeks, I just can’t get my head around it at all and it worries me now.”

Service users were told last week that cuts to the services would come into effect later this month.

The helpline, which is open all year round, allowed anyone living in Staffordshire to phone the service and provided help on possible next steps.

A spokesperson for the ICB, which funds the schemes through a grant, said: “Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB is undertaking a review of all its voluntary sector grants, to ensure all investments are serving the needs of our population.

"At present, no notice has been given to any organisation to withdraw funding or stop services.

"Therefore, any decision to close services is down to the individual providers.”