Western Avenue Medical Centre Mental Health Hub
Welcome to Western Avenue Medical Centre Mental Health Hub.
Here at Western Avenue Medical Centre we understand and value the importance of both physical and mental health. We hope this section of the website will be a point of information for you, family members and friends to use with regards to understanding mental health and accessing support.
It includes information about local services located here at the medical centre and includes information about the next steps you can take regarding accessing support.
What to do in a crisis
Suicidal thoughts are often experienced during a mental health crisis, if you feel that you are unable to keep yourself safe please attend your local A& E, if you do not feel you can do this call 999 to call for an ambulance.
Changes in your mental health should be reviewed with you GP or community mental health practitioner. A safe space is also offered in Chester is No. 71 Spider Project.
Sometimes we feel talking to someone would be helpful, useful services to contact in this instance are:
- Crisis Line 0800 145 6458
- Childline 0800 1111
- Samaritans 116 123
I am homeless. What services can I access?
Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH) is open weekdays 9.00am-10.00am, opposite the Grosvenor Museum on Grosvenor Street. They have charity outreach workers with knowledge of the homeless system, can provide practical advice, can charge phones, do laundry, provide clothing etc. Visit www.cath.org.uk for more information.
Shareshac is based on Frodsham Street, above the old Poundland. They are open to rough sleepers weekdays from 8.00-9.00am and for anyone else faced with homelessness after 9.00am and then close at 11.30am. They have computer access, sofas, pool, TV, food and clothing provision and charity outreach workers with knowledge of the homeless system. Visit www.shareaid.co.uk/ for more information.
ADHD for adults
Mindfullness
People here to support you
Below are a list of mental health and wellbeing professionals based here at the medical centre and those who you can be referred on to.
Jenna Davies – Community mental health practitioner
My role here at the surgery is to work alongside patients and health care professionals, to support patient’s mental health. I work with individuals who are experiencing a range of mental health difficulties, such as depression and anxiety. I will often speak with an individual offering a brief assessment during which we will discuss the main problem and I can signpost them to relevant information, arrange follow on support with myself or referral to a relevant service.
Social Prescribing
Philippa Dove – Wellbeing Co-ordinator for Primary Care Cheshire
Kate Mooney- Social Prescribing Link Worker Healthbox
Social prescribing helps you explore extra services that may support you to improve your health and wellbeing. as ‘linking people to community well-being services’ regarding non-medical problems. We can talk with you about the issues that you are facing and find the right services to support you for example: financial, benefits, housing, education, training, employment, health and lifestyle and creative activities.
Platform for life
We offer free to client, easy to access counselling for low-income families to help address mental health issues. We’re based in Blacon and offer our service in this community and Lache. To access our service, people will need to:
- Be a parent or carer living in Blacon or Lache.
- Be a child or young person living in Blacon or Lache or attending school there.
- Be unable to afford to pay for private counselling or play therapy.
We’re community based and work in lots of different venues in these two communities, so it’s easy to get to appointments. If we’re working with a child or your person, they can meet their therapist in school. All our therapists are fully qualified counsellors and play therapists and have lots of experience helping clients struggling with their mental health. Referrals can be made by a GP, health visitor, school or other local community agency who may be working with the individual or family.
To find out more about our service please contact us via email info@platformforlife.org.uk or phone 07552 219806.
No.71 Spider Project
If you experiencing a crisis of any kind, feel may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, No71 is here for you. You can call us any time between 10am and midnight, seven days per week. We are also open for face-to-face crisis response.
Our staff will help you through your crisis, empower you to access the support you need and to build your resilience for the future. There are lots of activities to get involved in, both one-to-one and in groups.
- Address: 71-77, St Anne Street, CHESTER, CH1 3HT
- Telephone: 01244 393139
- Facebook: Number 71 – Spider Project Chester
- Twitter: @Number71Chester
- Instagram: Number71Chester (@number71chester)
Virtual Workshops
Here at the medical centre we run a series virtual workshops which enable our patients to access mental health psychoeducation quickly.
These sessions are information classes, designed to provide you with information regarding common mental health difficulties and their management. You do not have to speak during these sessions, and you will not be required to turn your cameras on. You can just listen to the information being discussed.
The workshop will last 1 hour and will take place on Microsoft Teams. During an initial appointment it will be agreed that this is an appropriate next step you and you will be sent an invite.
During the workshop time will be taken to discuss and understand the causes, development and maintenance of difficulties such as depression and anxiety. You will also learn strategies which we encourage you apply once the session is completed.
After attending the workshop a follow up appointment will be arranged for you and during this time you can discuss any further goals you wish to achieve regarding you mental health or ongoing concerns.
What to do next
If you feel you would benefit from speaking with us here at the surgery regarding your mental health, please call the surgery on 01244 390755 and an appointment will be arranged at the earliest opportunity.
You will be offered a brief telephone appointment in the first instance; it will be during this appointment that together we agree a plan regarding next steps in your care.
We look forward to speaking with you.
Page updated: 11 March, 2025