Four Harrogate mental health charities team up to create holistic programme
They've created a service called Route One to Wellness - named after the local bus route.
Last updated 18th Nov 2020
Four mental health charities from across the Harrogate borough have teamed up to create a new holistic service.
Orb Community Arts in Knaresborough, Mind in Harrogate, Claro Enterprises and Wellspring Therapy have formed Route One to Wellness – named after the bus route between Harrogate and Knaresborough.
They're able to do so thanks to £65,000 worth of funding from the government's Coronavirus Community Support Fund which aims to keep vital groups running during the pandemic and help them deliver their services.
Leon Fijalkowski is the Service Director at Orb Community Arts, he said: "Between us we've come together as a partnership to provide a better community based mental health support group for local people.
"Mind in Harrogate have all sorts of stuff going on which we can't offer, then you look at Orb and we've got these creative groups. Wellspring have the counselling and therapy services and Claro have work support and wood working skills and stuff like that. So we all have things we can bring to the table.
"It's really pleasing to be recognised by the government to receive this money and to help us react and respond to the pandemic."
People can be referred to Route One through their local GP, making it easier to access the support and not need to do the research themselves.
Then they will be directed to a service which is right for them and a programme will be set up by the team at Route One.
Leon, added: "You meet a person in the practice and you're referred straight away to Route One. So rather than having to go through the shenanigans of trying to contact four different organisations we'll have a person who will put together a holistic package of support.
"Sometimes it can be really confusing knowing where to get that support, so by having the money to set up Route One it cuts out the middle man and the worries people might have.
The innovative new collaboration between the four mental health and wellbeing charities in Harrogate District will help local residents who are experiencing mental health problems get the best support they can to stay well in the community.
Funding from the National Lottery and Government Coronavirus Community Support Fund will help to deliver vital remote and accessible services as the pandemic stretches into autumn and winter.