Children and Young People's Sanctuary goes 24/7

A Sanctuary for Children and Young People going through emotional and mental health crisis is now open 24/7.

The Children and Young People Sanctuary Service is a partnership between Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the mental health charity, Adferiad (formerly Hafal).

The Llansamlet-based service, designed for 12 to 18-year-olds, is currently accessed through referral by the CAMHS’s crisis team and is intended as an alternative to young people turning up at emergency departments when in emotional distress.

It has been funded by the Welsh Government as part of an admission avoidance pilot which considered how young people can be better supported when in crisis.

Katie Hollingworth, Directorate Manager for CAMHS, (pictured backrow, first left, with colleagues during the official opening last summer) said: “From Monday (14th October, 2024), the Children and Young People’s Sanctuary will be operating over a 24/7 basis.

“All Health Boards in Wales are required to have a 24/7 service provision to support young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis in a setting which best suits their needs. 

“We recognise that attending a busy emergency department during challenging times is not suitable for young people and have worked with the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee to commission the Sanctuary which is away from busy emergency departments and hospitals, for young people to gain the support they need in the most appropriate place. 

“Our mental health colleagues work alongside Adferiad partners who provide the immediate support and after care needed to build young peoples’ coping skills to manage mental health difficulties in the future should they arise.”

The Sanctuary opened in April this year but was not open after 10pm.

Speaking at its original launch, Lianne Martynski, Director of Operations at Adferiad, said the service was much needed.

She said: “There hasn’t really been an appropriate facility for children and young people with mental health issues or at risk of mental health crisis.

“There has been a big need for this kind of service and we’re delighted to work in partnership to fill the gap that previously existed.” 

Trained staff at the Sanctuary use a range of strategies to help young people.

Lianne said: “The idea is that when someone comes here it gives them an opportunity to de-escalate. The staff here will support people to ground themselves and self-regulate. It can be anything from just a chat, a wellbeing activity, a group session or a one to one.”

Claire Norman, previous lead nurse for CAMHS, said: “It’s a service for children and young people who are experiencing emotional and mental health crisis and may need more support than can be provided in their current support systems.

“Previously when in distress, young people would present to areas such as the Children’s Assessment Unit or Emergency Department in Morriston Hospital which is not the best place to be when experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis.  

“There’s been a recognition that there wasn’t somewhere for young people to go – the Sanctuary gives them the opportunity to gain support in a more appropriate, calming environment.

“It’s a more appropriate setting from the very beginning for a young person to access mental health support. It takes them out of the chaos of an emergency unit.”

The current project has Welsh Government funding in place until March 2025.

The service is accessible to young people in crisis by contacting the CAMHS Crisis service via Morriston switchboard, 01792 702222, between 9am and 9.30pm Monday to Thursday, or any time Friday to Sunday.