The van will give us the chance to provide a mobile service throughout Washington, Sunderland and the Coalfield as well as citywide events and locations such as the Sunderland Air Show, Pride, SAFC BLC Mental Health Hub, Sunniside Live, Rotary Dragon Boat race and local area Carnivals

What we'll deliver:

• We will purchase a community outreach van
• Our mental health practitioners will be out in the community
• We will provide emotional support whilst giving advice and information

Why it's a great idea:

The van will bring mobile mental health and wellbeing support, assessment and consultation into the community. Our multi disciplinary team will target young people and their families as well as attending national campaigns related to themes around adult mental health ie. World Mental health Day, World Suicide Prevention Day. Consultation with service users has shown us that a choice of venues can remove some of the stigma and barriers to accessing our service. The van will be staffed by a range of qualified and experienced mental health practitioners who would be able to respond in a timely way to peoples concerns. The van will be fully equipped with resources such as leaflets, fact sheets and signposting information to improve peoples mental health and wellbeing.

Steps to get it done:

• We hope to have the van customised and out in the community by July 2020

We are looking to recruit and train up volunteer community connectors who will bring people and services together thus promoting mental health education and engagement with positive health and leisure opportunities