FUNDING for mental health wellbeing services in Hampshire will be slashed despite charity concerns over the possible knock-on effect on already saturated waiting lists.

Hampshire County Council has approved a cut to funding for wellbeing centres, which provide support for people recovering from mental health issues.

From the end of January 2025, the funding will be reduced from £1,281,777 to £625,000, and the overall contract value will be reduced from £4,944,152 to £4,287,375 annually.

The cut is part of the ‘savings programme 2025′, which aims to address the county council’s forecasted budget gap of £132m in the 2025/26 financial year.

Hampshire County Council commissions the wellbeing services in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley ICB, which plan NHS services.

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There are 13 centres in the Hampshire local authority area and are non-clinical settings in easy-to-access high street locations.

The services are operated by Hampshire Mind community interest company, which is made up of Solent Mind, Andover Mind and Havant and East Hants Mind.

Sally Arscott, chief executive of Solent Mind, said that the centres are essential services that provide safe spaces for Hampshire residents to receive emotional support and attend workshops, courses, and activities “during times of need to support their mental health”.

According to Mrs Arscott, one in six people have common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety at any one time, “with rising cost of living and cutthroat services, mental health is increasing”.

She added: “It is estimated that 10 million people in England will need support for their mental health as a result of the pandemic over the next three to five years. People taking their own lives in Hampshire is also sadly on the rise.”

Mrs Arscott said the county council should take a “proactive approach” since the services help ”reduce the burden faced by statutory services,” particularly children’s services.

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She said that last year, the wellbeing centres helped 111 Hampshire residents with school-age children; of those, at least 15 children had children services involved.

The chief executive addressed the council’s report, which stated that the county council does not have the legal duty to fund those services. However, she said that the council “does have the legal duty to not disadvantage residents with poor mental health”.

She added that the proposed budget would not be able to continue providing the current level of ‘one-to-one’ provision, meaning that people with complex needs “may not get the level of help they need”, which in some cases is a lifeline for many families.

Mrs Arscott said: “As a result of the proposal, the waiting list currently is over 100 people waiting up to eight or 10 weeks, which will be much longer and more pressure.”

Cllr Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and public health, said that despite knowing the centres’ value for people, the council has a legal duty to deliver a balanced budget.

Cllr Fairhurst said: “We are no doubt about how valuable the wellbeing centres are to the residents.

“Hampshire County Council’s financial position is on public record with a £132m shortfall predicted for 2025/26. We do have a legal duty to deliver a balanced budget. Therefore, as an authority, we are facing very difficult decisions.

“I’m delighted to hear that no centres will close and that the public health grant will continue, which is well over half a million. I also know that we will continue to hold the contract and continue to provide contract management until the end of the three-year contract.

“Adult health and care will be providing these services without charge. Even if we can’t provide all the money people would like, we are providing in kind by doing this and giving buildings of peppercorn rent.”