Hampshire Mental Health Funding Cuts Spark ConcernsHampshire Mental Health Funding Cuts Spark Concerns By Natalia Forero, Local Democracy Reporting Service 1 minute ago Marcella House in Hythe is one of the 13 wellbeing centers affected Hampshire County Council has decided to reduce funding for wellbeing centers, eliciting concerns from mental health organizations about the consequences for waiting lists. Services Impacted Wellbeing centers provide non-clinical support in accessible locations. They offer emotional support, workshops, courses, and activities for individuals recovering from mental health issues. Funding Reduction From January 2025, funding for the 13 centers across Hampshire will drop from £1,281,777 to £625,000. Charity’s Concerns Solent Mind, a mental health charity, has raised concerns about the impact on waiting lists and individual care. CEO Sally Arscott warns that people with complex needs may face delays in receiving support. Council’s Perspective Executive member for adult care and public health, Liz Fairhurst, acknowledges the value of the centers but emphasizes that they will remain open. However, the council will provide services in-kind, including rent-free buildings. Conclusion The funding cut has sparked concerns among mental health advocates, who believe it could strain waiting lists and reduce individual care. The county council maintains that they will continue to provide essential services, albeit with reduced funding.
Image caption, Marcella House in Hythe is one of 13 centres affected Article information
- Author, Natalia Forero
- Role, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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1 minute ago
Mental health funding in Hampshire is set to be slashed despite concerns from charities about the impact on waiting lists.
Hampshire County Council (HCC) has agreed to cut funding for wellbeing centres, which provide support to people recovering from mental health problems.
According to mental health charity Solent Mind, they provide help “in times of need”.
The council said it faced “very difficult decisions” in dealing with a predicted £132m financial shortfall by 2025/26.
The 13 centres in the Hampshire local authority area are non-clinical environments in easily accessible high street locations.
From the end of January 2025, funding will be reduced from £1,281,777 to £625,000.
Sally Arscott, chief executive of Solent Mind, said the centres provided safe spaces for emotional support, workshops, courses and activities
She said the county council should take a “proactive approach” as the services help “reduce the burden on statutory services”, particularly childcare.
The centres would not be able to continue to provide the current level of individual care, meaning people with complex needs “may not get the level of help they need”, she added.
Ms Arscott said: “As a result of the proposal, the waiting list currently stands at over 100 people who are having to wait for up to eight to 10 weeks. That will be much longer and the pressure will increase.”
Liz Fairhurst, the council’s executive member for adult care and public health, acknowledged how valuable the centres were and stressed that none would close.
“Adult health and care will provide these services for free. Even if we can’t provide all the money that people would like, we will provide in kind by doing this and providing buildings with peppercorn rent,” she said.
