Wellness in Mind: a new way to get instant mental health support

Getting help for mental health challenges can often mean facing a long and frustrating wait. For many people, that delay can make things even harder at a time when they need support the most. To change that, and with funding support from the NHS, Framework has launched Wellness in Mind – a new service that removes the waiting list and offers free, immediate help to people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Wellness in Mind is designed for adults experiencing mild mental health difficulties such as depression, general anxiety, panic attacks, low wellbeing, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder. What makes the service different is its flexibility and ease of access. Whether you prefer to speak to someone online, talk over the phone, or meet face-to-face in the community, you can connect with support without having to book an appointment.

At the heart of the service is a simple aim: to offer a safe, non-clinical space where people can talk openly and start finding ways to feel better. When you reach out to Wellness in Mind, you’ll have a private conversation with a trained adviser who will work with you to explore what’s going on and help you decide on the next steps. Support might include guided self-help, mindfulness and meditation, practical problem-solving, coping strategies, or connecting with peer support groups. Many of these tools are informed by approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and can be delivered one-to-one or in group settings.

As well as offering online and telephone support, the service runs drop-in sessions at the Wellbeing Hub on Hounds Gate in Nottingham, providing a friendly, informal environment for people who prefer to meet in person. Plans are underway to expand these sessions to Mansfield, Newark, Worksop and Beeston, ensuring more communities have easy access to help when they need it.

The service was shaped by the voices of people who understand mental health support first-hand – both those delivering it and those who have used it. Their feedback highlighted the need for early intervention, accessible locations outside of clinical settings, and opportunities to build emotional resilience with the backing of peer support.

Moya Vaughan-Evans, Service Manager at Framework, explains why this new approach matters:

“Today more people are struggling with their mental health but accessing support is increasingly difficult. This service cuts through the waiting list barrier to offer access to rapid support in whatever way people find most comfortable. The provision of Wellness in Mind across the whole of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire builds on the effective model that has been operating in Nottingham for a number of years.”

How to Access Support

You can reach out in a way that works best for you:

• Online: Complete a simple form for yourself or someone else at www.wellnessinmind.org. A trained adviser will respond within two working days.
• By Phone: Call the freephone number 0800 561 0073 (Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm). If you call outside these times, you can leave a message and the team will get back to you on the next working day.
• Face-to-Face: Drop in at the Wellbeing Hub, 73 Hounds Gate, Nottingham NG1 6BB (Monday–Friday, 9:00am–4:30pm).

Regular drop-in sessions are also being planned for Mansfield, Newark, Worksop and Beeston. Visit www.wellnessinmind.org for updates and further details.