Release Date: 15/02/2021

Developing mental health care in Richmond

Development works for an additional care area for residents with mental health concerns are to start at the ‘The Willow’ in Teddington, as £50,000 of funding has been agreed by Richmond Council.

The Willow is already home to 21 people and is managed by South West London and St Georges Trust (SWLSGT). It currently provides rehabilitation programmes, accommodation, support, living skills advice and other recovery services for residents with mental health problems.

This new funding, which is part of the Council’s Capital Programme, will go towards creating short-term accommodation for people with mental health problems, who need urgent help in times of crisis.

Cllr Nicola Urquhart, Richmond Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services Health and Housing said: “This development in ‘The Willow’ is the first of its kind for the borough and is a real step forward in improving the mental health care and support available to residents. With this addition we will now be able to offer to provide short term support and accommodation to vulnerable people in times of need anytime day or night.

“Currently people with low level needs are sent to an acute needs unit as there is nowhere else; this new unit will provide a short term safe place for people with mental health issues who need accommodation and support for a few days.”

Building works are scheduled to start in the near future and it is hoped that the new facility in the Willow will open in May.

View the full press release