Safety Hub wins NHS Excellence Award for Neighbourhood Health

We’re thrilled to announce that the Rethink Mental Illness Safety Hub (Suicide Prevention) service has been named the Regional Winner in the Neighbourhood Health category at the NHS Excellence Awards. 

This recognition is a testament to the power of partnership and the impact we can have when we work together.

The Safety Hub in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is delivered in partnership with TEWV NHS Foundation Trust, The Angel Trust, Durham County Council and Durham Police. 

Together, we’ve created a lifeline for people struggling with suicidal thoughts, offering care navigation, crisis counselling and practical support. 

In its first year, 65 people accessed crisis counselling with no waiting list, and 75% saw a reliable improvement in their distress. Every person who used the service left their first session with a safety plan and the tools to reach out for help. 

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one person saying, “I was straight in with a counsellor and this actually saved my life.”

We know that mental illness can affect anyone, and the right support at the right time can be life-changing. That’s why we’re working hard to secure ongoing funding and expand the Safety Hub model to reach even more people across the region. 

Our vision is a future where no one faces mental health crisis alone, and this award brings us one step closer to making that a reality.