News and media releases from the Surrey Heartlands area
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From hospital to hope, MHIF boosts follow-up community support for more young people
Young people in Surrey are getting life-changing follow-up support after a hospital visit, thanks to funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF). A joint initiative between NHS Surrey Heartlands and Surrey County Council.
In April 2024, Emerge Advocacy was awarded £491,002 to grow its friendly, informal follow-up support for 10 to 25-year-olds who have been in hospital due to self-harm, suicide attempts or emotional crisis.
The funding has helped strengthen the charity’s work in Royal Surrey County Hospital, Epsom Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and East Surrey Hospital, making sure young people don’t have to face recovery on their own.
Since the funding began, Emerge has been able to almost triple the number of follow-up sessions delivered across Surrey and received 100% satisfaction scores from young people. The team has gone above and beyond to meet rising demand, moving staff between projects where needed.
Emerge offers weekly sessions for around 12 weeks, meeting young people in the community in non-clinical, relaxed settings.
The support is built on trauma-informed principles, with a strong focus on building trusting, supportive relationships.
Within that space, Emerge helps young people develop positive coping strategies, connect with others or access ongoing support services where needed, and start to regain a sense of hope and purpose for the future.
Emerge’s follow-up support gives young people a safe space to talk and be encouraged at a time when they may still be waiting for other services.
Whether it’s a chat over coffee, a walk, something creative or just some quiet support, the focus is always on restoring hope and helping young people feel less alone.
Megan King, Emerge Advocacy Project Lead at Royal Surrey County Hospital said:
At the beginning and end of each session, we check in with young people about how they’re feeling. We want to be sure things have improved for them and that our time together has really helped.
Sara, one of the young people who has been supported by Emerge said:
Megan has really helped give me the confidence to speak. Before meeting her, I was always scared of what might happen when I spoke up.
She’s helped me move forward, I’ve come such a long way since we first met and I feel more confident to go out and meet people. I’m really looking forward to starting an art course later this week.
Ellen Parker, Paediatric Matron at Royal Surrey County Hospital (and an Emerge Link Worker) said:
We look after the child’s physical and mental health. We’re passionate about giving the young person the best journey to return home, and the nursing team, the enhanced care team and Emerge Advocacy come together to make that happen.
Simon Brauner-Cave, NHS Surrey Heartlands Director of Adult Mental Health Commissioning said:
Emerge Advocacy provide an invaluable service, and I was reminded of how important it is that this role isn’t filled by a professional or clinician.
Young people often leave hospital feeling uncertain and vulnerable, and the ongoing support they receive from Emerge offers stability and reassurance at a crucial time.
It’s wonderful to see the service, supported through the Mental Health Investment Fund, continue to thrive and make such a positive, lasting impact.