Bucks Safe Haven, in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, provides an alternative to A&E for people experiencing mental health crisis.

We work collaboratively with you to empower you and provide emotional listening support as well as helping you to manage your mental health better.

We help you to understand where to go for help in the local community, but most importantly to feel safer and create safety plans if you are struggling to keep yourself safe due to thoughts of self-harm or of ending your life.

Who is this suitable for?

Anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing mental health difficulties (excluding dementia) may be able to use our service.

What can I expect?

Safe Haven service is a face-to-face service. Support is provided by trained Crisis Support Workers, with the options of:

• 1 hour Crisis Wellbeing Group from 7.30-8.30pm OR
• 30 minute 1-1 support session

Support will usually be in-person. Telephone/video support will only be offered in exceptional circumstances. In these cases, a 20-minute telephone or video support session may be available.

Safe Haven allows you to talk openly about how you are feeling and to build trusting relationships with supportive members of staff, without the fear of being judged. We work with you in a very empathetic and genuine way, no matter what the crisis is.

Fees

There is no charge for this service.

How can I access this service?

The Bucks Safe Haven service is operating in Buckinghamshire from 6pm- 11.30pm, in the following locations:

High Wycombe: 7 nights a week

Please call: 01494 218098

Aylesbury: 7 nights a week

Please call: 01296 453017

Please note, we will ask for some brief contact details during the first call. Our address will be provided upon receipt of a referral.

We would encourage self-referrals where possible. However, if you are a professional and would like to make a referral into the service, please email us at: [email protected]

Please read our ‘Information for Referrers’ leaflet below.

Please note, our email address is accessed from 6pm – midnight daily and we will aim to contact the individual on the day they are referred to us. However, please allow for 48 hours for a response.

Safe Haven is not a drop-in service, please ensure you call ahead of any visit. We are able to offer one form of support per night only (group, 1:1 or phone/video).

If you feel you require any support to access the information about this service, for example hearing loop, translator or mobility aids, please call 01494 463364 or email [email protected] and we will get back to you to discuss your individual needs.