Milton Keynes clinical commissioning group (CCG) and Milton Keynes Council have jointly commissioned additional counselling and wellbeing services from Mind.
The new service, provided by the mental health charity, will provide free access to a range of wellbeing groups, free assessment for counselling services, free one-to one counselling services to anyone on a low income and affordable counselling to everyone else at lower cost than if counselling was accessed privately.
Milton Keynes clinical commissioning group (CCG) and Milton Keynes Council have jointly commissioned additional counselling and wellbeing services from Mind.
The new service, provided by the mental health charity, will provide free access to a range of wellbeing groups, free assessment for counselling services, free one-to one counselling services to anyone on a low income and affordable counselling to everyone else at lower cost than if counselling was accessed privately.
Alison Fisher, CEO at Mind Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK), said: “Mind BLMK is delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver counselling and wellbeing services across Milton Keynes. This will enable us to build on our established and valued work and enhance the range of support available to those people who need it.
“To make our counselling service easier to access we have a self-referral process, should you feel short term counselling could be a good option for you. You can also be referred by your GP or other health or social care professional. To self-refer download an “access to services” form by visiting www.mind-blmk.org.uk/access-our-services . We will meet you for an informal assessment to discover if counselling is a good option for you and chat about any other options that may be suitable.”
Mick Hancock, assistant director of joint commissioning for Milton Keynes CCG and Milton Keynes Council said: “This is an important resource which is designed to be responsive to existing local needs, flexible in terms of evolving need and provide affordable counselling solutions for local people.
"The service we want to deliver will encourage prevention, positive long term mental health and wellbeing through the provision of a range of effective counselling and wellbeing interventions. “
