A service which provides free support for people in an emotional or mental health crisis, is preparing to celebrate its first Christmas and New Year, with staff ready to help local people throughout the festive break.

The Safe Haven in Epsom is one of six across Surrey which have an open door for people looking for someone to talk to, or a space to meet people who are going through a similar emotional or mental health crisis.

Developed in partnership with NHS Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group, the Mary Frances Trust, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey County Council, the service will be there throughout the festive period as it is open 365 days a year between 6pm and 11pm.

Located at The Larches, 44 Waterloo Road, Epsom KT19 8EX, Safe Haven has been open since March 2016 and has received visits from almost 200 people.

And whilst based in Epsom, Safe Haven is open to all local people, even those visiting the area for Christmas – who will be welcomed with a hot drink and can remain anonymous during their visit if they would prefer.

Dr Julia Chase, Clinical Director for Mental Health, Dementia and Learning Disabilities, at Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group, and local GP said: “For some people the Christmas and New Year period can be a very stressful time of the year so it’s really important people who are nearing crisis know they can get help if they need it. Services like the Safe Haven in Epsom are open every day of the year including on Christmas Day and on bank holidays so their door is always open.”

Daniel Cartright, Operations Manager at the Mary Frances Trust which helps run the Safe Haven, said: “Christmas can be a time when people feel isolated and extremely lonely as they may not have friends and family they can spend time with. It is also a time when people can feel under extreme financial pressure and become quite desperate. Our Safe Haven is open throughout the Christmas period with staff available to offer support.”

For more information about Safe Haven in Epsom and the other havens in Aldershot, Woking, Camberley, Guildford and Redhill, please visit www.surreydownsccg.nhs.uk/safehavenepsom

Based on information supplied by Michelle Baillie.