Who we are...

Rethink Mental Illness provide this service in partnership with Change, Grow, Life (CGL). The service is funded by Central North West London NHS Trust (CNWL) who we work in close partnership with to deliver the service.

The service provides support for people

• Aged 18+
• Who live in the borough of Brent
• Have a mental illness
• Have a mental illness and a substance misuse problem
• Be accessing CNWL services or be eligible for CNWL services

For more information about the service, please see our FAQs page.

What we provide...

The service has 4 main aspects of delivery which are:

• Peer Navigation Support - The Peer Navigation Workers draw directly on their own lived experiences of mental illness. A peer can understand your stories & help it to be useful to personal recovery. Peer Navigation Workers provide emotional & practical support to help you either when you are being discharged from inpatient settings or when you are in the community and need additional, intensive support to help you move forward in your recovery journey. The support will typically between 8-12 sessions . We can support you with benefits, housing, employment, training, education and support you to access community services and help you get involved with your community. We will work with you as an individual & offer a tailored service to meet your needs.
  
  
• Befriending - Befrienders are volunteers who act as community connectors to local services and support you to access & build social & community networks & activities in order to foster social inclusion & improve quality of life. Befrienders help you to reduce social isolation. Befriending takes place throughout the week including evenings & weekends depending on what you want to achieve.
  
  
• Workshops and Groups - We deliver a continuously evolving, co-developed programme of recovery-focused workshops incorporating opportunities for creative expression & healthy living. This includes managing anxiety, mindfulness, cultivating confidence. Groups will provide an opportunity for peer support & provide you with new self management & coping strategies.
  
  
• Substance Misuse Support - The Assessment and Engagement Recovery Workers from Change, Grow, Live (CGL) provide support for people already using CNWL services, who have drug and/or alcohol and mental health issues to access treatment & support based on individual needs. We provide support to listen to concerns, offer advice, harm reduction, referral, guidance & advocacy for people with drug & alcohol issues & help them get into treatment. Referrals for this part of the service are via the CNWL Community Mental Health Team only.

How can I access the service...

• If you want to access the service, speak to your CNWL worker or GP who will be able to refer you through the new Brent locality hubs.
• The substance misuse support we offer can only be accessed via your CNWL worker.
• If you are a GP then you can download our GP referral form
• If you want to get in touch with us please contact us by calling 07775697854 or email us at brentmentalhealth@rethink.org

Volunteering for the service

We are always looking for new volunteer befrienders for the service and welcome volunteers with lived experience of mental illness.  If you are interested then please get in contact with us. All volunteers will be asked to attend a short interview and we will need to obtain references and complete a DBS check as part of your volunteer application. Volunteers will be offered regular group and 121 support and have an annual placement review meeting. Volunteers will be offered suitable training and induction for their role.

To find out more about volunteering please email - brentvolunteering@rethink.org or download our poster

What do you think of us?

Friends & Family Test

We really value the feedback of people who come into contact with our service.

You can visit this link to complete one quick question anonymously to let us know your views.

Select London from the 'Region' drop down box and then select 'Rethink Brent Mental Health Service' to enter your feedback.

Alternatively you can give us feedback by

• calling us on 07775697854
• emailing us at brentmentalhealth@rethink.org
• speaking to one of our team in a group or 121 support session
• making a complaint on our website here