The Well Being Hub

Latest Update

29 November 2023 Pleased to announce the successful organisations receiving Community Mental Health Transformation funding to be able to deliver services to improve the mental health and wellbeing of adults in Stockton-on-Tees. The organisations will support an integrated approach to the delivery of mental health services and work in partnership to deliver the aims of the Community Mental Health Transformation agenda for Stockton. All of the providers are community-based organisations, working in partnership to deliver services that offer easier access to support through local community venues and providing greater accessibility for those who face physical and mental health challenges. Click here to see the organisations.

21 November 2023 – Stockton’s first over 50’s wellness festival was a huge success, and it was a privilege for Sarah and Karen to be able to support the planning and delivery of the event which was coordinated by a strong collaboration of services across the public, private and VCSE sector including us, PCP, Teesside MIND, SBC Public Health and the Council’s Community Engagement team. The feedback suggests it benefitted everyone that attended.  The aim of the day was to bring together as many support services as possible into a free ‘one-stop festival’ for people aged 50 plus with an extensive line up of organisations ready to provide vital information and support.  Attendees were able to access to essential health resources, including, screening guidance and assistance for conditions like dementia, cancer, caregiving, benefits, and employment opportunities and much more.  We had approximately 200 people attend the event and 75 stalls providing information, advice and support alongside arts and crafts and tombola activities.
Santa, Mindy the Mind Elephant, Move it or Lose it with Sonia, Shape the Play with Sham and the music (Yarm Wellness Choir, ARCulele and Eaglescliffe Ukulele band) were all well received. Thank you to everyone attending and giving your time to support this wonderful event.

20 November 2023 It’s Safeguarding Adults Week and there are some resources people can use in the links below.

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/safeguarding-adults-week-2023-resources/

Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board (tsab.org.uk)

There’s also an event with Healthwatch Wednesday 22nd November, find out more here
https://www.healthwatchstocktonontees.co.uk/

19 November 2023 – To support National Grief Awareness Week Co-op Funeral Care are supporting a service at Stockton Church on Tuesday 5th December. Click here for details.

10th October 2023 – Raising awareness on World Mental Health Day at the Here to Help You event at Arc Stockton. WMHD poster 2023 (A4) (mentalhealth.org.uk)

23rd August 2023 – AMALAwellness was set up in September 2021 and is a socially conscious, local Community Interest Company with wellness at the heart of it’s mission. Our team teach Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi and Chair Based Yoga and Exercise classes across Teesside. Classes are wheel chair, walker and mobility scooter friendly. Classes can be done seated, standing with chair support, or free-standing, making AMALAwellness’ classes accessible to everyone. They currently run 2 classes in Stockton Borough Council areas – Ingleby Barwick – The Rings Community Hub – Fridays 1:30-2:30pm & Norton -The Glebe Community Centre – Mondays 3:15-4:15pm. Social Prescribing and Referral link here

26th July 2023 – Flippin Pain campaign. Click here to see the flyer.

26th July 2023 – World Mental Health Day 2023 | Mental Health Foundation

25th July 2023 – Did you know Family Action have a Family Line? A free helpline that offers emotional support and practical guidance via telephone, text, email and live chat for all family members over the age of 18. Call 0808 802 6666 Text 07537 404 282 Live Chat family-action.org.uk/familyline or email familyline@family-action.org.uk

18 July 2023 – Thornaby Community partnership invite you all to their Summer Party that is being held on 17^th August 1-3pm at our amazing Warm Welcome Session in Thornaby Indoor Bowls Club in the Pavilion Leisure Centre.

17 July 2023 – Are you doing anything for World Mental Health Day 2023 | Mental Health Foundation? Get in touch if you are so Catalyst can promote and support you.

12 July 2023 – Headlight Project 2 dates in September and October for a FREE suicide awareness presentation, suitable for anyone aged 16+ click here. They have also arrange two half day SafeTALK courses, fully funded by Warburtons. Again, September and October dates, see here.

12 July 2023 – With a possible space secured with Stockton CAB we are now looking for builders, here is our brief – feel free to send to anyone you know in the trade!

11th July 2023 – Free Mind Training Conversations in the community.

28 June 2023 – Youth Focus: North East – Improving the lives of young people (youthfocusne.org.uk)  For those aged 16-25 years old and in Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, Stockton-On-Tees, Hartlepool and Darlington. An opportunity for youth voice to be heard in relation to Health & Social Care. Zoom call on Thursday 29th June 2023 5-6pm

27 June 2023 – My Life Tool  Living with Long Covid is a self-management tool for people with long covid, developed in partnership with people with long-term conditions and long covid.

21 June 2023 – Video from Red Balloons and Starfish Health click here to view

8 June 2023 – Father’s Day can be really hard when you’re grieving. Seeing other families celebrating on social media or in person can remind us of the fathers, grandfathers or children that are no longer with us. See this email from Cruse Bereavement Support.

30th May 2023 – Applications now closed for the Stockton Community Mental Health Transformation Steering Group. Thanks to everyone who has applied and we will be in touch soon.

23rd May 2023 – Sarah met with Antonia recently to learn about available cleft palate support. Upcoming CLAPA Events: https://www.clapa.com/events/To request a Welcome Pack: https://www.clapa.com/treatment/feeding/bottles-teats/#welcome-packs and https://clapa.formstack.com/forms/welcome_packs Support for adults: https://www.clapa.com/treatment/adults/ and the Returning to Cleft Pack: https://clapa.formstack.com/forms/request_form_for_returning_to_cleft_care_guide_pack Peer and Parent Support Service: https://www.clapa.com/support/need-to-talk/

22nd May 2023 – Great new link! https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/

15th May 2023 – Today sees the start of National Mental Health Awareness Week. See more information on how to get involved here Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 | Mental Health Foundation The how to cope with feelings of anxiety bit could also be useful too, find more by clicking this link  What can we do to cope with feelings of anxiety? | Mental Health Foundation

11th May 2023 – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY! Stockton Community Mental Health Transformation Steering Group in partnership with the Lived Experience Forum have developed a service specification and ‘invite to tender and deliver local services’ to support wellbeing and mental health for Stockton residents through the community transformation project. The document service specification, including the delivery model and application form is here. 

Applications are open now and the closing date is the 30th of May at 10am. Please send completed application to sarah.jones@catalyststockton.org by no later than 10am on the 30th of May. Further information please call Sarah Jones on 07946072805

26th April 2023 – Sarah met with Andrew from Qwell and Kooth last week and found out about the great service that’s free and anonymous online. Qwell is a free, safe, online emotional wellbeing community that is accessible 24/7, 365 days of the year. Our service is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and is commissioned by the NHS to provide access to chat sessions with counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners. All our chat sessions are text-based conversations that take place on the Qwell website, and last up to an hour.  Chat is available from 12pm – 10pm Monday through Friday, and 6pm – 10pm Saturday and Sunday. Qwell is accessible from any device that connects to wifi, allowing you to seek support at a time and location that is suitable for you. There aren’t any thresholds or criteria to meet, and no waiting lists. This means ANY adult aged 18+ can sign themselves up anonymously on Qwell.io, and utilise our community as an additional, or sole, means of mental health support. You can also get peer-to-peer support, as well as get involved with activities designed to improve emotional wellbeing and resilience.

 An online mental health and emotional wellbeing service is available to young people, aged 11- 18, called Kooth (www.kooth.com). Kooth is a free, safe, online emotional wellbeing community that is accessible 24/7, 365 days of the year. Our service is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and is commissioned by the NHS to provide access to chat sessions with counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners. All our chat sessions are text-based conversations that take place on the Kooth website, and last up to an hour. Chat is available from 12pm – 10pm Monday through Friday, and 6pm – 10pm Saturday and Sunday. Kooth is accessible from any device that connects to wifi, allowing young people to seek support at a time and location that is suitable for them. There aren’t any thresholds or criteria to meet, and no waiting lists. This means ANY child or young person aged 11-18 can sign themselves up anonymously on Kooth.com, and utilise our community as an additional, or sole, means of mental health support. Young people can also get peer-to-peer support, as well as get involved with activities designed to improve emotional wellbeing and resilience.

19th April 2023 – Sarah met with the lovely Janes and Angela from Fibro connect on Tuesday afternoon last week and she loved the warm welcome she received. Fibro Connect are the only fibromyalgia group that runs within the Stockton area and offers support, activities, opportunities to chat and have a cuppa too.

17th April 2023 – Sarah met the fabulous Kaite last week who is a yoga teacher based in Middlesbrough and primarily teaches Queer Yoga, classes exclusively for the LGBTQIA+ community. Kaite is particularly interested in the mental health benefits of yoga. Kaite runs fortnightly Queer Yoga classes in Middlesbrough, Saltburn and York, with monthly classes in Scarborough, Leeds, Newcastle and Durham. Kaite is coming to Stockton with a one-off taster session happening at the ARC in Stockton this coming Friday, 21st April, 6-7.30pm. Click here for more information. You can find Kaite on Facebook at Queer Yoga North and on IG@queeryoganorth

6th April 2023 – Sarah met with Chantal from Wellington Square and is excited to hear that the Wellbeing sessions are going well and that there is scope for Chantal and Sarah to work closely together in the future – watch this space. View flyer for the new Mental Health Monday initiative here.

5 April 2023 – Check out the Flippin’ Pain campaign, created by Tees Valley Sport. Tour Poster, Booklet

31st March 2023 – Sarah met with independent community safety charity, Safer Communities. After initial introductions, Sarah was amazed at how much support they offer. Their vision is to make communities safer, support victims of crime and create opportunities to change lives for the better. They have the following aims:

• Provide a positive future for children and young people.
• Transform the lives of victims of crime and support them to recover.
• Create safe and sustainable communities and strengthen the charity.

For more information please see here: Safer Communities – Independent Community Safety Charity

30 March 2023 – Sarah met with Andrea Love from Macmillan Cancer Support this week. ‘Macmillan Cancer Support provide cancer information and support to you or someone you care about that has been diagnosed with cancer. Part of Andrea’s role is to work with people to have voices in developing services alongside the partnership manager and understanding what stops people from getting support. You can find more information about Macmillan Cancer Support here: Macmillan Cancer Support | The UK’s leading cancer care charity’

18 March 2023 – Sarah has been finding out about STEPs – Community Bridge Building. The aim of a bridge building service is to promote inclusion by assisting and enabling individuals excluded from mainstream community networks to discover, explore and interact with facilities and organisations in their own neighbourhood. You can find more information here: STEPs – Community Bridge Building | Stockton Information Directory

14 March 2023 – Sarah met with the MDS and Falls team, and was given a very warm welcome as part of their team meeting. The impact of having such a motivated, engaging and enthusiastic team has provided a fantastic offer of support for people over the age of 65 in Stockton and all of the team are awesome!!

The Multidisciplinary Service (MDS) is an integrated Health and Social Care team, which has been developed to provide short term support and early intervention to help people remain safely in their own home. The service is aimed at people who are:

• Aged 65 years and over
• Living in the Borough of Stockton
• Currently not open to a social care professional

The service, which comprises a multi professional team, works with Health, Social Care and the VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise), and can provide help with issues such as:

• Functional decline/ frailty
• Social isolation
• Financial issues
• Fuel poverty
• Assist in obtaining aids and adaptations where required.
• One Call

You can find more information here: The Multidisciplinary Service (MDS) | Stockton Information Directory

The Falls Service in Stockton is based at Tithebarn House and is a part of the Multi-Disciplinary Service (MDS). The service is provided by two Falls Assessment Coordinators. Falls Service | Stockton Information Directory

12 March 2023 – Sarah attended the Healthwatch 10 year celebrations at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday, she really enjoyed celebrating Healthwatch’s achievements and being part of future planning.  She also enjoyed being able to network and share ideas together.

8 March 2023 – Sarah met with Alison Brookbanks (Family Support Worker) on Wednesday last week and was amazed at the offer they provide for anyone from birth and up and their families. Here is a digital copy of their flyer.

7 March 2023 – Main Impact on Teesside Podcast – YouTube

7 March 2023 – Sarah is still looking for a building in central Stockton and mapping services. This was included within the action plan. Can you help identify a building within the are of Stockton High Street, go to the bottom of this page to contact Sarah

6 March 2023 – On the 27^th of February Sarah and Clare attended the Community Mental Health Transformation planning event. The event was to develop the next years action plan for community mental health across the Tees Valley.  As part of the planning sessions, we were able to network and plan our action plan for the transformation of mental health services within Stockton.

28 February 2023 – Great to meet with Helen from Reengage.  The charity run monthly Tea Parties for older people, aged 75 and over. Each Tea Party usually consists of 6-8 older guests, volunteer hosts and drivers. Each guest is collected from their home each month and taken to their Tea Party, we would never ask or expect an older person to get somewhere themselves. The parties usually last between 1-3pm on a Sunday, but each Tea Party can run on which day they like. To refer into the Tea Parties someone can get a professional referral, refer themselves, or their friends/family can do it. Here is the link – https://www.reengage.org.uk/refer/

27 February – Eating Disorders Week. Eating Disorders Week 2023 – Eating Distress North East (edne.org.uk)

8 February 2023 – Tees Valley Community Transformation are asking for expressions of interest from organisations across the Tees Valley area for funding to provide 1:1 peer support in the community. Please contact if you would like to express an interest so that we can send the specification and proforma to you when these are released. This funding has been allocated as part of the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, details of this can be found here – NHS England » The community mental health framework for adults and older adults. You can also view a video about the aims of the Tees Valley Community Transformation here.
Email  Belinda.brooks1@nhs.net for more information.