The Anchorage, a mental health crisis centre in Wallsend, has supported more than 1,100 people since opening just over a year ago, with some users saying they might not be here without it.
High demand since opening
Located at 80 Park Road, the centre opened last July to help people experiencing mental distress. In just over a year, it has assisted 1,142 people with issues including financial problems, unemployment, housing, relationship issues, social isolation, and substance abuse.
The service requires no referral, with virtual or in-person drop-in available. It is funded by the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Demand has been high, with 200 people visiting within two months, rising to at least 600 by March 2026.
Lives saved
James Nichol, service manager of crisis and safe havens, said: “Where some people told us that they just would not be here anymore, others said they would have done nothing and gotten potentially worse. That has an impact on emergency services and their crisis services when things might escalate to needing ambulances or police. So, it is really important to have our open access so people don’t have to book.”
He added: “It was really hard to hear that someone might not be here if we were not here.”
User stories
Wallsend resident Elizabeth Francis, 60, first visited after being made redundant as a gardener at the Royal Quays, later returning as caring duties mounted. She said: “I was in a quandary as to what to do about employment, so I came here because I heard it was somewhere you could have a chat with people.” She was helped with her CV and is now a park keeper at North Shields.
Francis said the centre made her feel looked after: “It has become a bit of a lonely world, and sometimes people think they don’t have time to help you because they have their own worries in their lives. Having a centre where you can go and feel looked after, like you are wearing a nice cosy cardigan, is really important.”
Jack Southern, North Tyneside team manager at Everyturn, said: “I always say the biggest positive of this place is its no appointment, no referral, no waiting list. You walk in from the High Street, and you’re met with a friendly face, no shirt and tie, it’s not clinical.”
He added: “Come to us when the fire is small, when it is easier to put out, and we can have a one-to-one. We are normal people who know what goes on in life and the issues that are in the world.”
