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Community Mental Health Partnership

Second Step is the leading voluntary sector organisation in a partnership with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Partnership Trust (AWP). The partnership strives to ensure everyone in Bristol receives the treatment and support they need to take control of their mental health and lead fulfilling lives.

We do this via three mental health teams: Assessment and Recovery, Crisis and Early Intervention. All teams come under the banner of Bristol Mental Health.

The partnership strives to ensure everyone in Bristol receives the treatment and support they need to take control of their mental health and lead fulfilling lives.

Five voluntary community sector organisations: Second Step, Missing Link, Off the Record and Nilaari Care employ staff in roles within the partnership including Recovery Navigators, Youth Transition workers, Mental Health Crisis workers, Facilitated Discharge workers, Early Intervention workers and Peer Support workers.

Our values

Bristol Mental Health believes in being compassionate, accountable, innovative and efficient. We believe in encouraging staff, clients and carers to meet their full potential. We believe services should be joined up so that whenever you contact Bristol Mental Health, you are put in touch with a person who can help you.

Four principles guide everything we do

Who is it for?

Assessment & Recovery Team

The Assessment and Recovery Team ensures that all clients get the treatment and support they need to take control of their own mental health and lead fulfilling lives. With greater emphasis on working in partnership within communities and intervening early, the service helps to improve outcomes for people using mental health services across Bristol.

There are three Assessment and Recovery Teams working in South, Central and North Bristol. They work closely with GPs, assessing clients within three days of referral, and providing routine services from 8am to 8pm (weekdays) 9am to 5pm (weekends). Outside these times people experiencing a crisis can call the 24-hour response line on 0300 555 0334.

The Assessment and Recovery Team works alongside other community mental health services including the Crisis Team and in-patient services, complementing the support they provide. A 'Recovery Navigator' will work with each client to give support, advice and to help plan their recovery with them throughout their journey.

The Assessment and Recovery Team is for people who need intensive support and referrals are normally made by a GP.

Crisis Team

The Crisis Team supports anyone in Bristol who needs urgent mental health support. If someone experiences a severe mental health crisis the team can provide acute care at home without the need for hospital admission.

The Team provides expert assessment to individuals experiencing mental health crisis within four hours of referral. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

The Crisis Team provides local support for people aged 18 and over that are experiencing a breakdown in their mental health and feel that they may require an emergency response for help and support.

The Team consists of mental health nurses, social workers, doctors, occupational therapists and dedicated mental health workers that will seek to immediately reduce distress both through the use of support, advice, medication and a range of therapeutic interventions all specifically designed for those in crisis.

Following an assessment the Team will work with the individual to agree a plan of care and will immediately provide intensive treatment in their home in order to reduce their distress and promote recovery.

Early Intervention Team

The Early Intervention Team helps people between the age of 14 and 35 who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis or at risk of developing psychosis. Those aged 14 -17 are seen alongside the local child and adolescent mental health team. Intervening early helps improve recovery.

How do I access these services?

You can be referred to these services by your GP. For more information on the Recovery Bristol Partnership visit www.bristolmentalhealth.org

Are you being discharged?

Visit the Get Connected project, a pilot mentoring scheme for those being discharged from Recovery Bristol Partnership services.

Contacts

North Assessment & Recovery Team: 0117 3547300 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri & 9am-5pm Sat & Sun)

Central Assessment & Recovery Team: 0117 9556098

(8am-8pm Mon-Fri & 9am-5pm Sat & Sun)

South Assessment & Recovery Team:01275 796200

(8am-8pm Mon-Fri & 9am-5pm Sat & Sun)

Early Intervention team: 0117 9192371 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Missing Link, Off the Record, Nilaari Care and Brunelcare

Glossary of terms

Recovery Navigators

Recovery Navigators forge a strong relationship with their clients to coordinate and access the best possible support to help manage their mental health problems. They coordinate all the services that a client may need – so, for example, bringing in the complex psychological intervention team or crisis team when necessary. The primary focus is to make sure each person’s recovery takes place at their own pace and in the best way for them. Recovery Navigators stay with their client throughout – ‘walking alongside them’ to ensure they coordinate the best support and find new and creative ways to help the client to accept and manage their mental health problems. Research has shown that Recovery Navigators help promote people’s independence, health and general recovery.

Mental Health Crisis Support Workers

Mental Health Crisis Support Workers work collaboratively with the client , their family/carers/friends and mental health and other professionals during any period of acute mental health crisis.

Facilitated Early Discharge Workers (FEDs)

Based within the Crisis Team, to facilitate appropriate discharge from the mental health inpatient wards and the Crisis Team.

Early Intervention in Psychosis Workers / EI Support Worker (EIPs)

Their role is to work collaboratively with the client and mental health professionals to navigate and coordinate services (both social and clinical interventions). They are there to make sure the client makes the most of community resources, builds resilience and improves their wellbeing.