Out of hours mental health service launches in Llanelli

A groundbreaking out of hours mental health service for adults has launched in Llanelli.

The Twilight Sanctuary is the first of its kind in Wales and is open Thursday to Sunday from 6pm to 2am, to offer a place of sanctuary for adults at risk of deteriorating mental health when other support based services are closed.

In partnership with Dyfed Powys Police and Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board has commissioned and is working together with Mind and Hafal to run the service to provide support when people need it from Mind’s centre in Llanelli.

The Twilight Sanctuary will offer sanctuary and support to people at risk of deteriorating mental health, providing an alternative venue to receive early access help.

Amanda Davies, Senior Nurse for South Carmarthenshire Adult Mental Health for Hwyel Dda said: “The health board is very proud to be part of the working collaborative, which has enabled the successful launch of the Twilight Sanctuary in Llanelli.

“The Twilight Sanctuary is an easily accessible facility based in the centre of Llanelli. This provides a warm and caring environment for individuals and their carers who require support with their mental health during the much needed out of hours period.

Greg Thomas, Interim Chief Officer, Llanelli Mind added: “Llanelli Mind are delighted to be involved in this exciting new project, the first of its kind in Wales, working with our partners in the health board, local authority, Hafal, Dyfed Powys Police and Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, to provide a much-needed service ‘out of hours’.

“We very welcome the opportunity to work with and support people in managing and maintaining their mental health and wellbeing, in a welcoming and homely environment, that wherever possible avoids the need for people to access more acute services.”

This service is one of the first projects from the Transforming Mental Health programme to launch. In 2017, over one thousand people engaged in a public consultation which asked people for their opinions on proposals to change how care and treatment are provided to meet the mental health needs of people now as well as future generations. Having worked together with service users, staff, partners, including West Wales Action for Mental Health and the Community Health Council, a new model of care was co-designed for mental health services, built from learning from engagement, co-design, international collaboration and public consultation. This includes:

• 24 hour services – ensuring anyone who needs help can access a mental health centre for support at any time of the day or night.
• No waiting lists – so that people receive the first contact with mental health services within 24 hours and for their subsequent care to be planned for in a consistent and supportive way.
• Community focus – to stop admitting people to the hospital when it isn’t the best option and provide support in the community when people need time away from home, extra support or protection.
• Recovery and resilience – services that don’t purely focus on treating or managing symptoms, but instead help people to live independent, fulfilling lives with the help and support they need.

Those who wish to access the service can call 01554 253193 or drop by Llanelli Mind on Thomas Street.