The Evelyn Trust provided a grant to Jimmy’s Cambridge, a community-based charity providing both support and housing to people who are rough sleeping. The funding enabled Jimmy’s to launch the REVIVE Mental Health Support project, transforming its mental health support resource to homeless people in Cambridge. We are pleased to share outcomes of this initiative, which has made a profound difference to the lives of homeless individuals.
The project aimed to address mental health among homeless individuals through improving wellbeing, reducing the demand for statutory mental health services through early intervention, and developing a replicable model to combat homelessness.
The project achieved significant success, including the recruitment of Bea Taylor, a dedicated mental health practitioner. Bea played a pivotal role in providing in-house mental health support, focusing on individuals facing ‘dual diagnoses.’ In February 2022, Bea became Head of Services, and a new mental health worker was appointed from within the organisation, ensuring a continued service.
Key achievements:
- Enhanced access to support: Before the project, homeless individuals had limited options for mental health support – often only receiving emergency care or long-term care, with no options for immediate and short-term day-to-day support. The REVIVE Mental Health Support project bridged this gap by offering a confidential, non-judgmental environment where residents could open up about their mental health. Low-level therapy and changes to daily routines helped individuals address mental health challenges while awaiting specialist referrals.
- Breaking the stigma: Homeless individuals often hesitated to seek mental health services due to stigma. However, the project’s monitoring and evaluation revealed a positive experience for residents. They felt motivated to discuss, communicate, and work toward their goals in a safe and supportive environment. Many of them spoke about their mental health for the first time in a decade.
- Increased engagement and compliance: Flexible care plans tailored to residents’ goals led to higher engagement not only with the mental health service but also with medication, community services, and drug and alcohol treatment. This holistic approach had a profound impact on residents’ overall wellbeing and supported a reduction in NHS referral wait times.
- Support for staff: The project transformed staff attitudes toward mental health. They became more comfortable discussing mental health with residents, knowing they could rely on a qualified mental health worker. This shift led to early conversations about mental health, ensuring residents received effective support.
The project’s success positions Jimmy’s Cambridge to further expand its services by seeking other support from trusts, foundations, as well as donations from the local community due this increased visibility.
Collaborations and future plans
The project facilitated collaborations with other local services and with the University of Cambridge, which provided an evaluation report of the project’s impact. Looking ahead, Jimmy’s Cambridge plans to further embed in-house mental health support, expand the programme and introduce peer support.
Rebecca Wood, Charity Director at The Evelyn Trust, said: “The REVIVE Mental Health Support project, has transformed the lives of homeless individuals and empowered Jimmy’s Cambridge to make a lasting impact on mental health support. This project embodies The Evelyn Trust’s commitment to foster positive change in our communities, and we look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of this invaluable initiative.”