Good Morning %FirstName%

We have been asked to share this press release with you regarding the new Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service.

There will be further information events taking place in June and we will invite you along to these. 

Throughout this process Jayne Stevens, our Participation Co-ordinator continues to attend Stakeholder and Assurance Group meetings and also a Pathways meeting next week. Information from these will continue to be shared in due course.  If you have any questions or any comments on this subject please let Jayne know by email info@podstelford.org. Thank you.

**PRESS RELEASE START: 2 May, 2017**

New Emotional and Wellbeing service for young people in shropshire and telford and wrekin starts in may 2017

From 1 May, 2017 a new mental health and wellbeing service for young people has been introduced across Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire.

The aim of the service is to provide a much wider choice of care options for those aged 0-25 and their families and carers, and to help them engage with local services and transform their emotional health and well-being.

The service is led by South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (SSSFT) in partnership with Kooth (an online service that offers emotional and mental health support (involving 7 day/one to one chats, messaging service and live forums for children and young people), Healios (the only online provider of specialist mental health assessments, NICE endorsed psychological therapies and innovative wellbeing apps, all focused on the entire family) and The Children’s Society national charity that runs local projects, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn (a national charity helping children and young people at their most vulnerable)national charity that runs local projects, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn.national charity that runs local projects, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn.

Following extensive engagement with young people, parents, carers, staff, organisations and stakeholders, and a consultation last year, the new model is designed to reflect their wishes about how they want to see mental health provision develop, as well as building on existing capacity. 

Where possible services will be co-located and will feature ‘drop in’ facilities, with access to immediate support and advice, as well as structured counselling and therapy.   Using peer support and volunteers, there will also be clear links with current school projects, online information and support, to help provide timely advice and liaison for GPs and other medical professionals who are concerned about a young person.

Confirming the new arrangements, Carolyn Gavin Head of Operations Specialist & Family Services, SSSFT said.

“SSSF Trust is the lead for the new contract provision of the 0-25 Emotional and Wellbeing service for the young people of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.   The service will offer a greater range of choice in how young people and their families are able to access support, assessment and interventions. Our model will be delivered in partnership with The Children’s Society, Kooth and Healios and developed together with young people in order that the model continues to modernise and shape emotional well-being services into the future”.

Anna Hammond, Deputy Executive for Commissioning and Planning (Integrated Care) for Telford and Wrekin CCG added:

“The introduction of this new service from 1 May is just the beginning. Building on previous successes, we will make sure that the care and support that is currently provided will continue as usual and care co-ordinators will still be available to discuss the improvements”. 
 
Anna added:
 
“Working with our new partners and their nationally quality assured services – will help us develop and enhance our services.  Our ambition is to help improve emotional health and resilience and deliver the best mental health services possible when needed for the young people of Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire.” 

Notes to Editors

1.    Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council were awarded the contract in December 2016.

2.    About Healios: Healios is the UK’s leading digital healthcare company, bringing the whole family together to maximise long-term outcomes and well-being. We reimagine the way children, young people, and adults access and receive mental health services by blending the best of technology with specialised clinical expertise and a personal human connection. At Healios, we transform mental health services by providing quicker diagnosis, faster access to evidence-based psychological therapies, and earlier intervention to create a unique online experience - getting patients and families the right care when and where they need it. For more information please visit www.healios.org.uk.

3.    About Kooth: Kooth, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. https://kooth.com/

4.    About Children’s Society: We are a national charity that runs local projects, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn. We listen.A national charity that runs local projects helping children and young people at their most vulnerable and have nowhere else to turn.  We listen.  http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/

Issued on behalf of Telford and Wrekin CCG by Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning

We hope you enjoyed reading our latest e-bulletin.

Thank you on behalf of

PODS Parent Carer Forum, P O Box 772, Telford, TF7 9FD