Unique North Somerset crisis centre receives large donation

The Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Centre, run by mental health charity Second Step, provides a safe space for people in North Somerset in acute emotional distress.  

The Centre recently received a donation of £10,000 from Howards Motor Group. Tammie Hemmett, Safe Haven’s Team Manager, said: 

“We are so thankful to receive this money from Howards. It’s going to be put to great use, helping equip our volunteers with laptops and also potentially providing a pool table for clients who find it hard to talk. We are talking to our staff and clients about how best to spend this amazing gift.” 

Peter Haynes, Managing Director of Howards Group, said: 

“As part of our commitment to our community, each year we strive to support a small number of local charities who do such essential work in supporting others. Having seen the work done by Safe Haven, we wanted to help by making a meaningful financial contribution to their incredible efforts. 

“As a business, our awareness of mental wellbeing and the plight of those suffering distress has become ever more pronounced over recent years, particularly with the ongoing impact of the pandemic on people who may already have been vulnerable. We are therefore absolutely delighted to support Safe Haven in continuing to look after those in need.” 

On Tuesday 25 January Howards Group will present their donation officially to Tammie and Second Step Chief Executive, Aileen Edwards. The Mayor of Weston-Super-Mare, Councillor James Clayton will also be present at the event at the centre at 3pm, as will several staff and clients. 

Safe Haven client Star Davey said: 

“The Safe Haven was an absolute lifeline when I was in an acute mental health crisis. Not only did they phone me daily for over a week when I was in a dark place, but I also went in to see someone in person when the centre was able to open its door. This gave me the safe space I needed where I was able to vent all my frustrations and problems and not keep them bottled up.” 

Safe Haven opened in March 2021 as the first crisis centre of its kind in North Somerset. Since then, the skilled staff team have supported more than 2,800 people either face-to-face in the Weston centre or over the phone or Zoom. The pandemic meant a new way of working, and the feedback from people about the service has been overwhelmingly positive, with 100% saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with the support they received. 

Find out more about Safe Haven at: https://www.second-step.co.uk/our-services/community-and-wellbeing/safe-haven-crisis-centre/ 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

• For more information and/or to talk to clients about the wonderful work at Safe Haven, please get in touch with Communications Manager Jane Edmonds on 07841 777401 or email jane.edmonds@second-step.co.uk 
• Safe Haven was co-designed with input from people with experience of using local mental health services and clinicians. The service offers a mix of remote and face to face support, and supports 12 people every evening. 
• The centre is open seven days a week, between 6pm and midnight. It is based in the Boulevard in Weston-super-Mare and is open to people over 16 who live in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. While face-to-face sessions are available, many people opt for support via phone or virtually via Zoom. To discuss the service, or make a professional or self-referral, please complete this referral form and send to refer.safehaven@nhs.net or by call us 01934 313480. 
• Safe Haven was commissioned by Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG), in partnership with Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Trust (AWP). 
• Howards Group are a family-owned automotive retail business that was first established in Weston-super-Mare almost 50 years ago. Over those years, they have forged strong ties with the local community as many of their colleagues, their families and friends live, as well as work, in the town. Find out more at https://www.howardsgroup.co.uk/  

• Second Step is a mental health charity providing support, housing and hope to people in Bristol and across the South-West. We run a wide range of services from suicide prevention to supporting patients back into the community after a spell in hospital. Our particular expertise is in working with people experiencing multiple disadvantage whom the system fails or finds difficult to support. We work with thousands of clients every year.