Issue details
Use of Acomb Garth for the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre Pilot
The Connecting our
City Project is a multi-agency project aimed at improving mental
health and wellbeing in York. The Project team are hosted by City
of York Council (CYC) and the Project has been largely funded
through NHS Community Mental Health Transformation (CMHT) Funding
and NHS England pilot funding. CYC currently hold York’s
allocation of moneys and commission on behalf of the
partnership.
Due to the success of the mental health hub developments,
additional NHS England funding has been secured for a 24/7
Neighbourhood Mental Health centre pilot.
Significant work has been undertaken over the last 6 months to
secure a suitable venue and agree a staffing model and begin
recruitment. We anticipate opening the 24/7 Centre in July
2025.
A decision is required on the signing of an Agreement for Licence
to Occupy (“AFL”) and a Licence to Occupy
(“LTO”) with Nimbuscare in respect of part of Acomb
Garth, together with obtaining a side letter from NHSPS relating to
the LTO (“Side Letter”) so that the property can act as
a base of the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre.
The Executive Member is asked to approve the option for City of
York Council to sign the AFL Licence to Occupy and a Side Letter
relating to the property at Acomb Garth as the holder of the funds
for the pilot, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate
Director of Adult Services and Integration
(“DASS”) in consultation with the Director of
Governance and the Chief Finance Officer (and their respective
delegated officers) to draft, negotiate, and conclude the proposed
Agreement for Licence to Occupy, Licence to Occupy and side letter,
and to draft, negotiate, and conclude any subsequent modifications
to these documents thereafter.
Update: The wording of the above description was updated on 19/6/25 to better reflect the substance of the report.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Decision Made
Wards affected: Acomb Ward; Holgate Ward; Westfield Ward;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/06/2025
Level of Risk: 04-08 Regular monitoring required;
Decision due: 01/07/25 by Decision Session - Combined Executive Member Decision Session
Lead member: Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care
Lead director: Corporate Director of Adult Services and Integration
Department: Directorate of Adult Services & Integration
Contact: Kate Helme, Strategic Workforce Development Officer, Children's Trust Unit Email: kate.helme@york.gov.uk Email: kate.helme@york.gov.uk.
Consultation process
The development of the York Community Mental
Health Hubs involved an in-depth codesign process with
representation from clinicians, social work, local area
coordination, voluntary sector, and over 50% lived experience and
carers. The core principles that emerged from this process continue
to guide the development of the York hub model, including the
desire to embed lived experience leadership. Monthly conversation
cafes provide ongoing dialogue and involvement as the project
develops. The project also has a dedicated Coproduction Champion
providing ongoing opportunities for involvement and engagement as
well as a System Change Lead who works alongside voluntary sector
colleagues to support and improve commissioning practice.
We have conducted a new codesign process for the 24/7 hub within
Acomb/Westfield/Holgate to inform the model for the new mental
health hub in the West of the City, in particular the overnight
element of this offer. The codesign team included representatives
from the local community, individuals and carers who have
experienced mental ill health, practitioners from health, social
care, voluntary sector and the police. These individuals continune
to be ectively involved in recruitment and building design.
Consultees:
• Individuals with lived experience of mental ill health
• Families and carers
• Local community groups
• Individuals from the neurodivergent community
• Practitioners and managers from health, social care,
voluntary sector and police
Equality Impact Assessment Completed?: Yes
Documents
- Use of Acomb Garth for the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre Pilot