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Next Steps
Next Steps help people make the move from hospital back into the community as smooth as possible.
Our team of community navigators will work with you in the time leading up to the move and will be there throughout those early weeks of transition. We understand the challenges and difficulties you may be facing after being in hospital and we'll help you plan your next steps in your recovery.
It is estimated that on any given day at least 10–20% of all mental health beds are occupied by people who are ready to leave hospital but aren't able to because they don't have the support they need once discharged. This equates to approximately 1–2 million bed days each year.
Next Steps is here to help people move on in a timely way and to prevent further illness from staying in hospital when being well enough to leave. This in turn will free up mental health beds for people who need them.
Community Navigators
Our Community Navigators can help with:
- Making a smooth transition to the community
- Finding stable and safe accommodation
- Access to benefits, income and advice
- Increased social and community connections
- Peer support
- Opportunities to access learning, volunteering and education
- Establish recovery goals
Peer Volunteer, Jo works with Next Steps. In a series of Instagram videos she talks about her mental health experiences and being diagnosed.
If you would like an introduction to the team, please email nextsteps.team@nhs.net
Anybody who needs mental health support can call Mindline Somerset free on 0800 138 1692, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or email support@openmentalhealth.org.uk.
Find out more about the service here.
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