- author, Natalia Forero
- role, Local Democracy News Service
Funding for mental health care services in Hampshire is set to be cut, despite charities fearing the knock-on effect on waiting lists.
Hampshire County Council (HCC) has approved funding cuts to wellbeing centres which support people recovering from mental health problems.
Mental health charity Sorrento Mind said it offered help “at a time of need”.
The council said it faced “very difficult decisions” as it addressed a projected funding shortfall of £132 million for 2025/26.
The 13 centres in the Hampshire local government area are non-clinical facilities in easily accessible downtown locations.
From the end of January 2025, funding will be reduced from £1,281,777 to £625,000.
Sorrento Mind chief executive Sally Arscott said the centre offered a safe space for emotional support, workshops, courses and activities.
She said the county council should take a “proactive approach” to these services as they would help “reduce the burden faced by statutory services, particularly children’s services”.
She added that centres are unable to continue with their current levels of one-to-one support, meaning people with complex needs “may not be receiving the level of support they need”.
Mrs Arscott said: “As a result of these proposals there are currently over 100 people on the waiting list waiting up to eight to 10 weeks and this will mean longer waiting times and increased pressure.”
The council’s executive member for adult social care and public health, Liz Fairhurst, acknowledged how valuable the centres are and stressed that none would be closed.
“Adult health and care provides these services free of charge and even though we can’t provide all the funding people want, we still do this and provide it in kind by providing premises at a nominal rent,” she said.
