Local residents who are struggling will receive a timely boost after a new mental health support facility opened in central Scunthorpe in September.

Haven House, which is provided by North Lincolnshire Mind, offers crucial short-term support for adults experiencing a mental health crisis, who can be supported in a non-clinical setting.

The house, which has four bedrooms and spacious communal areas downstairs, has been designed to feel homely and offer an escape, whilst being in a safe space. The layout and design of the house were developed following feedback from previous mental health service users.

Once referred into the service by the mental health crisis team, patients are offered one-to-one support and staff will work with them to develop a personalised care plan. Each person’s stay is expected to be short-term, anything from 48-hours, up to two-weeks; but each stay is tailored to individual need.

Residents can also play board games and cards, tackle puzzles, watch television and will have the opportunity to learn how to cook if they wish. There is also a garden to get fresh air and exercise. Staff can signpost to other services, such as financial or housing support, to assist with the individual’s long-term goals for when they leave the house, with these social aspects considered in their personalised care planning. Staff are also able to refer other teams in, for the individual to receive home-based treatment.

Jason Coy, Haven Crisis Prevention Lead at North Lincolnshire Mind, said: “We set up the house to be homely – we didn’t want to replicate a clinical environment. We needed it to be somewhere people could come and have time away, while we help put support in place and turn things around for them.

“The service is not only supporting people in the community, but hopefully easing pressures on hospital beds within the acute setting and A&E.

He added: “When people visit us here for the short periods that they’ll be with us, we will be looking to support not only with their mental health and getting them through their immediate crisis – but to also put the foundations in place to help them stay in the community and stay safe and well for the future.

“Haven House has the potential to do really well for the local community.”

For further information about Haven House or other services provided by North Lincolnshire Mind, please visit www.nlmind.org or contact support@sdmind.org.uk.