The Life Rooms has teamed up with Public Health Liverpool to launch a mental health initiative which will support individuals and communities with their health and wellbeing following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 12-month pilot will ensure The Life Rooms, a service run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust which supports service users and the wider community in dealing with social factors that can impact health, begins today (14 February) and ensures they will now have a presence in local libraries, one stop shops and children’s centres across the city.
It aims to provide communities with practical support and learning opportunities to help their health and wellbeing, including family and caring responsibilities, mental health and physical wellbeing, financial difficulties and housing issues.
Michael Crilly, Mersey Care’s Director of Social Inclusion and Participation, said: “This partnership with Public Health Liverpool provides a real opportunity to reach right into the heart of our communities to provide the help and support that people need right now.
“We don’t really know the full impact of lockdowns and the pandemic on most of the population yet but we do know there continues to be an increase in mental health issues generally. The earlier we can offer help, the better. By getting out into the communities we want to offer practical help and support to those who are struggling and stop them becoming unwell.”
Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, said: “Most people will experience low level mental health problems at some point in their lives, as stress, worry, and anxiety have become more commonplace. Sadly, the pandemic has caused more life stressors, experienced over a longer period of time, causing greater levels of harm to wellbeing and mental health in our communities.
“We’re pleased to support community based models such as the Life Rooms, as good mental health and wellbeing makes life better. It helps us form positive relationships and build resilience to cope with the ups and downs that come to us all.”
The Life Rooms will be attending the following locations between 9.30am and 3.30pm:
- Garston Library: Monday and Tuesday
- Kensington Library: Wednesday and Thursday
- Kirkdale One Stop Shop: Monday and Tuesday
- Liverpool Central Library: Monday and Wednesday
- Norris Green Library: Wednesday and Friday
- Parklands Library: Friday
- Toxteth Library: Monday and Friday
- Wavertree Children’s Centre: Monday and Thursday
- Tuebrook Children’s Centre: Monday and Thursday
- County Children’s Centre: Tuesday
- Kensington Children’s Centre: Wednesday and Friday.
For further information please contact: Myles Hodgson, Media Manager, 0151 473 2797 myles.hodgson@merseycare.nhs.uk or Communications on 0151 471 2336.