The NHS in the East Midlands is set to boost mental health support for people in crisis to ease demand and pressure on emergency services, as part of extensive winter plans already underway.

NHS England is investing £10 million in further support for mental health trusts this winter, as demand for crisis mental health services has increased by one third since before the pandemic and doubled since 2017.

More than 90,000 people a month have been referred to community crisis services. While around 200,000 people a month have also called 24/7 crisis lines.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has opened 16 Night Light Cafés across the county to give support to those in mental health crisis.

Night Light Cafés, funded by NHS England, are an integral part of the Lincolnshire Mental Health Transformation Programme and provide mental health support to patients out in the local community.

Night Light Cafés are safe spaces that offer an out-of-hours, non-clinical support service and are staffed by teams of trained volunteers who are available to listen.

The Cafés also provide signposting advice and information on other organisations that may be able to help with specific needs, such as debt advice or emergency food parcels.

On average, around 150 people per night visit night light cafes across the county, and hundreds of phones calls are made to people who need support or a friendly ear to listen to them.

Stacey Marriott, a Manager at a Night Light Café, said: “The Night Light Cafés exist to provide safe, non-clinical spaces for anyone who is finding life difficult.

“This is an  out of hours service available to those over 18, where they can find a warm welcome and a listening ear, free from judgement”.

Josh Connor from Lincoln starting using the Night Light Cafés about a year ago when he was feeling isolated due to the pandemic: “ I started using the Cafés when I was struggling with my mental health.

“I wasn’t at crisis point but I wasn’t feeling very well. I was referred to the Cafés from my student wellbeing centre at the University of Lincoln.

“I found the service invaluable. It was so helpful to have a bit of support and to develop a friendship network. I am still in contact with the friends I made there now.

“Without the Cafés, I dread to think where I would be now. I would encourage anyone thinking of going to just go and give it a try. I didn’t think it was for me before I went, but I have never looked back”.

Night Light Cafés are free of charge and patients can be referred by their GP. Patients need to book into the Cafés in advance, to make sure that someone is available to listen and help.

Giles Tinsley, Programme Director for Mental Health at NHS England in the Midlands, said: “Getting support to people suffering a mental health crisis quickly is critical. The NHS is helping twice the number of people experiencing a crisis compared to five years ago.

“This is thanks to the rollout of 24/7 crisis support phone lines meaning thousands of people across the Midlands are receiving the support they need without having to go to A&E. Initiatives such as Night Light Café offer an invaluable service to the communities they are based in.

“If you are struggling with your mental health, do seek help from the NHS by referring yourself online to our world-leading talking therapies service. Or if you are in a crisis, you can call your local helpline 24/7.”

Find information and support for your mental health, including urgent help and how to access NHS psychological services this winter.