NWJCC Commissioned Sanctuary for Children and Young People Officially Opens
18/07/2024
The Sanctuary for children and young people, commissioned by the NWJCC, was officially opened in June by Minister for Mental Health and Early Years, Jayne Bryant.
The Sanctuary is an out of hours service that provides practical and therapeutic, holistic person-centered support to people at risk of mental health crisis in Swansea and Neath / Port Talbot counties.
It aims to reduce hospital admissions and reduce the risk of harm for people in their homes.
The project is part of a national commitment to delivering “Alternative to Admission” services for children and young people across Wales, improving patient access to services in mental health crisis in a supportive environment, avoiding the need for attendance at Emergency Department or admission to hospital.
The national project is commissioned by the NWJCC, funded by Welsh Government, and delivered by Health Boards, some in partnership with the third sector - Adferiad that was established in 2021 when CAIS, Hafal and WCADA merged - as is the case in the Swansea Bay area.
Combining the skills, knowledge, and expertise in the fields of substance use, mental health, housing, criminal justice, veterans, carers, gambling and employment and support – Adferiad aims to meet the needs of the people who need it most, with a single, unified and comprehensive approach to delivering quality services.
There are now Sanctuary services open in Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay Health Board areas, with services launching shortly in the other Health Board areas across Wales.
The Sanctuary offers support to young people up to 18 years old living in the Swansea / Neath / Port Talbot areas who may be experiencing:
• Difficulties or anxieties relating to the coronavirus pandemic
• Stress and/or anxiety
• Low mood
• Financial worries
• Difficulties with loneliness, isolation and family or relationship worries
• Suffering from domestic violence
• Deteriorating mental health because of a range of factors
The service is set in a welcoming and homely environment, with a lounge area, kitchen/dining area, shower and clothes washing facilities. There are also private areas for those who need quiet time and/or 1:2:1 support.
All referrals come from the Swansea Bay Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Team and individuals’ safety and wellbeing is fully assessed before they return home, with referrals to other services as appropriate.
Director for Commissioning of Specialist Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Vulnerable Groups at the NWJCC, Shane Mills said: "It’s great to see this service officially open so that children and young people can access the benefits this service provides.
"This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through the NWJCC’s commissioning approach and working in partnership across the NHS Wales system, and wider health and social care landscape, including third sector.
"Our aim at the NWJCC is to ensure that people are able to access the right service when they need it whoever they are and wherever they live in Wales.
"We focus on commissioning evidence-based services that are shaped by people who use the services and those with expert knowledge and experience in providing them.
"We also focus on providing high quality care with outcomes that matter to people, are sustainable and make the best use of the resources adding value across the whole NHS Wales system.
“We look forward to seeing more of these Sanctuary commissioned services coming online in the coming months/throughout the summer.”
Further details about the project are available here: Swansea / NPT Children and Young Peoples Sanctuary Service (adferiad.org)