Portsmouth Mental Health Hub turns one - insights from team members

Today, the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub celebrates its first anniversary, having helped thousands of residents across the city to access mental health support via a dedicated phoneline and website.

Since the phoneline was created in April 2023, it has handled over 3,500 calls for people aged 16 and over, where fully trained call handlers have either arranged an appointment with services such as Talking Therapies or PositiveMinds, or have offered support to connect with local organisations including HIVE Portsmouth, social support or substance misuse organisations.

• 98.9% of callers have found their phone conversation helpful
• 91.9% of callers waiting less than one minute for support on the phoneline
• 85.5% of callers would have gone to their GP or did not know where to go

The website component followed in December 2023 and has had more than 6,000 views with 1,800 people accessing the information and resource webpages available. Visitors to the site can read about local services, see interviews with people who have experienced mental health, meet the Hub team, find out more about the emotions and feelings we all experience, and crucially, where to get support and advice.

From the very idea of the hub through to its creation and the day to day running, it takes a team of dedicated staff. The success the hub has seen in the first year is testament to their hard work and commitment to make meaningful, long-term change to the mental health offer in local communities.

We spoke to some Hub colleagues to gather their insights into what it’s been like working at the hub and how they feel about making a positive impact on local people’s mental wellbeing.

 

Megan, Access Mental Health Practitioner

• What’s been the biggest achievement or reward for you while working at the hub? Being a part of a service that is helping shape access to mental health support for the people of Portsmouth.
• What’s been your biggest learning curve? Trying to break down the stigma regarding mental health and encouraging people to reach out for support.
• Has anything massively surprised you?  It has surprised me how much support and services are within Portsmouth.
• If you could sum up the hub in 3 words, what would you say? Compassionate, dedicated, friendly.

 

Zoe, Mental Health Access Facilitator

• What’s been the biggest achievement or reward for you while working at the hub? Setting it up from the very beginning, communication within primary, secondary and community sectors to be able to pathway map services that are available.
• What’s been your biggest learning curve? My knowledge on services in Portsmouth (and nationally) and understanding of what they can offer.  
• Has anything massively surprised you? How people want to help. How much support there is within the city for such a wide range of people – very lucky to have so many amazing and diverse places on our doorstep.
• If you could sum up the hub in 3 words, what would you say? Accessible, kind, generous.

 

Katie, Enhanced Mental Health Access Facilitator

• What’s been the biggest achievement or reward for you while working at the hub? Being a link role between primary and secondary care but also being that friendly voice at the end of the phone ready to help and support people with their mental health needs.
• What’s been your biggest learning curve? Familiarising myself with local mental health support services and what there is to offer in Portsmouth.
• Has anything massively surprised you? How much the mental health hub enhanced roles in surgeries were needed!!!
• If you could sum up the hub in 3 words, what would you say? Safe, friendly, guidance.

 

Jonna, Mental Health Access Facilitator

• What’s been the biggest achievement or reward for you while working at the hub? My biggest achievement has been able to help the wider community in Portsmouth, making a difference to Portsmouth. 

• What’s been your biggest learning curve? Biggest learning curve has been that mental health comes in all different shapes and sizes. Mental health affects all types of people and we should be able to step forward and reach out rather than run away from giving the support that can make a difference to an individual’s life.

• Has anything massively surprised you? Being that first point of contact for that individual’s road to mental health recovery and really being appreciated for it.

• If you could sum up the hub in 3 words, what would you say? Empathetic, respectful and warm hearted.

 

Steve, Mental Health Access Facilitator

• What’s been the biggest achievement or reward for you while working at the hub? Being able to help callers transition from desperation to hope during a call.
• What’s been your biggest learning curve? Trying to understand the roles, structures, abbreviation and acronyms used in Adult Mental Health (AMH).
• Has anything massively surprised you? The level of genuine care and support within our team.
• If you could sum up the hub in 3 words, what would you say? listen - chat - help.

Congratulations to the entire Hub team for what you have achieved in the first 12 months. Here’s to year two!

You can read more about the hub’s first anniversary as well as visit the Hub website at https://mentalhealthinportsmouth.co.uk