Crisis cafes in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton provide friendly face-to-face support for anyone aged 18 or older struggling with their mental health and unable to cope. The cafes are provided for the Trust by Mind BLMK as part of a partnership approach to mental health crisis care. Mind assistant crisis project development manager Sally Burdenuik manages the cafes.

How do you help people who visit the cafe? 

By providing a safe and comfortable space for servicer users to come and be heard. They are met with empathy, without judgement and are given the time they need to support their mental health crisis or to prevent them from being in one. Upon arrival to the crisis café you will be greeted by one of the team, offered a drink and then taken through to a private room to have an individual session.

How would you describe the approach of the crisis cafe team?

The crisis café team are made up of a diverse group of people who have both lived experience and professional experience of working through mental health difficulties and finding solutions. Sometimes the solutions are to listen and hold a safe space for the service user to offload, giving them time and empathy. Other times it may be that service users are looking for a more practical solution and signposting can be given. The one thing that we all try and instil in our service users is hope.

Do people need to make an appointment in advance?

No appointment necessary, the wonderful thing about our Bedford Crisis Café is that we are open seven days a week 365 days per year between the hours of 5-11pm. You can turn up, have a hot or cold drink and be seen by a mental health professional and no referral or appointment needed.

Can relatives and carers worried about loved ones use the cafe?

Absolutely! Anyone can come in for support from us. Confidentiality is paramount to the support we provide, whoever we see we will not disclose information to anyone without your consent, unless due to a safeguarding concern. Anyone can access us over the age of 18 and we often see different family members who are provided with individual one to one sessions.

Mental health impacts whole families so we understand the importance of being there for a whole family during a difficult time. Service users can access us as often as they like whilst they are struggling with their mental health. If service users wish to have a family member or friend come into the session this is welcomed as well. Occasionally a family member may need to talk to someone privately as well so both parties can be seen and given the private space and support they need.

Why is this service important to you? 

Having a service like Mind BLMK is so important to strengthening our communities. I am fortunate enough to see that people grow, recover and work on becoming stronger within themselves and managing their mental health. Service users have shared about the positive impact of having the crisis cafés available to them in their time of need, this is why I do the job I do. Without services like Mind BLMK the pressures on the NHS would be even greater. We are working so hard to embed ourselves in the community and to be a place that feels comfortable for people to turn to when they don’t know where else to go. I hope we continue to grow and to reach all those that are suffering in silence, to help them feel like there is hope.

Read more about the crisis cafe locations and support offered.