During the lockdown, ACE continues to support people with their health and wellbeing through adapting our ‘yourspace’ and ‘Tier 0’ projects.  The Tier 0 Mental Health Service provides psychological Interventions through 1-1 guided self-help sessions in GP surgeries.  This involves working with patients on topics ranging from anxiety and depression to procrastination and perfectionism.

In response to COVID-19, as in-person sessions at surgeries are no longer possible, ACE introduced new measures to support service delivery through telephone and video call sessions.  The response from existing and new patients has been positive, with 96 patients engaging since the introduction of the lockdown.  This evidences the need for this service during this time.

On completion of the sessions, one patient commented “I do not know how I would have coped if I had not had the support of the service”.

The yourspace team quickly developed new ways to support the most vulnerable people in our community.  Wellbeing Connectors are contacting people at home, with weekly calls for those who want them. This is well received: ”It’s nice to just have an adult conversation, you’ve really cheered me up”. Along with sourcing practical help like food and medication deliveries, the team provides information, encouragement and resources to help people to keep active and maintain their wellbeing at home.  

Development Workers are keeping in touch with members of community groups and finding ways to keep activities going, for example continuing the  bereavement peer support group through teleconferencing. For those without access to the internet, they have created ‘step by step’ guides to activities that can be done at home and a ‘good news’ newsletter. 180 people have been contacted since 16th March, including those identified as vulnerable by their GP.