In response to the increase in restrictions from Thursday 5th November, we would like to assure everyone that we will be doing all we can to maintain the mental health support and services provided by Buckinghamshire Mind and will be remaining open, whilst ensuring that we are compliant with Covid-secure guidelines and regulations.
We are keen to support as many people as possible over the coming weeks, whilst ensuring the safety of all our service users, volunteers and colleagues.
The government is giving a strong endorsement of the voluntary and community sector to continue to provide support across our communities during lockdown. Buckinghamshire Mind is committed to working flexibility to keep our services going, under strict Covid-secure guidelines.
Below are some key service area updates. We will provide further ongoing updated information on each service area, on their individual website page. For schedules and further details, please click here and visit each service area.
Safe Haven Crisis Support: Provided face-to-face and by phone.
Adult Counselling and Suicide Bereavement Support: Provided remotely via online sessions.
Befriending: Provided remotely by phone with some one-to-one socially distanced outdoor meetings to take place.
Peer Support Groups: Provided remotely via closed Facebook groups, video and digital platforms and some socially distanced outdoor meetings/walking groups.
Wellbeing Groups: Provided face-to-face in groups of no more than six service users, phone support, closed Facebook groups, Zoom groups and newsletter.
Employment Support: Provided remotely by phone, video and digital platforms.
Outreach/Recovery Groups: Provided remotely by phone, Zoom groups, care packages fortnightly. Some socially distanced walking groups of no more than six.
Older Adults’ Service: Provided remotely via phone and Zoom, newsletters and care packages.
Children & Young People’s Services: Provided remotely via online sessions and newsletters.
Training Services: Provided remotely via video and digital platforms.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Since the first national lockdown in March, Buckinghamshire Mind remained open by adapting new ways of working. Since then, we have helped thousands of people in Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire by signposting to or directly offering mental health support, including:
- Safe Haven crisis support seven evenings a week via phone/video, in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Online counselling
- Telephone Befriending
- Remote peer support, wellbeing groups, employment support and community based support/outreach via Facebook groups, video, telephone and care packages
- Remote support to schools
- Sending newsletters, reminiscence activities and care packages to our Older Adults’ Service users
- Training services via video and digital platforms.
During this next lockdown, Buckinghamshire Mind remains here for all and will continue to do the same. We are all still here for all and we are in this together. We are here to support everyone in Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire, working to ensure everyone gets the mental health support they need.
Survey outcomes from national Mind (July 2020) has shown during the first lock down, 31% of adults and 28% of young people did not access support because they felt their mental health issue was not serious enough to seek help. Everyone’s mental health and wellness is important, and we encourage anyone having difficulties managing stress, anxiety and/or other mental health issues, to get in touch for signposting and support.
For up to date COVID-19 advice and guidance, please click here.
For urgent mental health support, please click here.