A wellbeing hub has been officially launched to help people in urgent need of mental health support in Reading.
The Reading Wellbeing Platform: Support Hub is an innovative new service that provides a safe, welcoming space for individuals experiencing mental distress.
The hub can be accessed at Reading train station and is run in partnership with Network Rail, Great Western Railway, and British Transport Police.
Care is provided by Together for Mental Wellbeing, an organisation committed to improving mental health in Reading, with the hub offering compassionate support and connecting people to vital services.
Operating at key busy times during the week, the support hub delivers practical assistance, guidance, and referrals to trusted organisations creating an appropriate alternative to emergency services.
By providing accessible alternatives to A&E and emergency services, the service aims to support people directly and reduce the need for them to rely on the NHS and police services, easing pressure on capacity.
You can access the service at the community space in the station, previously known as the Brunel Arcade between 1.30pm to 8.30pm from Friday to Sunday.
The service has been operating since last December and had its official launch on Friday, February 21.
The launch was attended by councillor Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood), the Mayor of Reading and partners including police officers and staff from Prospect Park Hospital.
In a joint statement, Together for Mental Health and Wellbeing representatives Andre Silva, projects manager and Gianluca Zucchelli, head of regional operations said: “Together and our partners identified a gap in the provision of mental health community services.
“An individual in a mental health crisis may find difficult to reach a service or may be reluctant to go to hospital.
“They may be confused and lonely, in a railway station.
“We are reaching out, making ourselves available, a discreet presence ready to listen to people, to offer support here and now, where it is needed.
“ We are making a difference by filling this gap. We are learning from people’s feedback. We aim to transform this successful pilot into a permanent service, and we will look for new funding to help us do that.”
Ian Stack from British Transport Police added: “This has really saved us a lot of work. It’s nice knowing they have that support there. It can be hard for people if they struggle with communication or are presented with the barrier of our uniforms.
“It’s helpful that there are people here who can break through these barriers. We see how people who need help are signposted.
“An example of this is the woman who recently needed help (she was struggling with suicidal thoughts and intended to take her life) was supported by your team.
“People who work in the station can benefit including the police and train drivers because they can become traumatised too, so it is really important to have the wellbeing hub.”
