In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, NAViGO is to relocate from Grimsby’s Floral Hall.
The move comes as local care providers and councils face cuts to the adult social care budget, with NAViGO – commissioned by the local CCG to provide mental health services across North East Lincolnshire – being asked to make £120,000 of savings.
NAViGO deputy CEO Simon Beeton said: “The last year has been extremely challenging for everyone and essential NHS care providers, like ourselves, are being asked to make further cost efficiencies.
“After very careful consideration, we have decided to move our services away from People’s Park including the Floral Hall.
“This was a difficult decision but we have done all we can to make savings while ensuring there is no disruption to core services, we continue to prioritise the needs of our service users and minimise the risk to staff.”
Initial plans for the council owned Floral Hall included the creation of an events facility and bespoke wedding venue to run alongside existing horticultural activities.
But with the coronavirus pandemic causing delays and closure, coupled with increased restoration costs for the glasshouse, we need to streamline service provision, consolidate buildings used and focus efforts on the redevelopment of Grimsby Garden Centre.
Horticultural therapy will continue across clinical sites and at the garden centre, building on the success of opportunities there, with service users already actively engaged in developing new projects.
Other proposed savings include delivery of the service user educational programme, moving from in-house to an accredited educational partnership programme and non-recruitment to the currently vacant night shelter caseworker post.
Partnership work supporting the local homelessness teams will continue alongside the dedicated crisis café.
There are no planned cuts to NHS mental health services which have and continue to be provided throughout the pandemic.
Four social care posts are affected. Staff have been notified and consultation is currently taking place with them.
Simon added: “We always have a responsibility to ensure that we use our finances appropriately and focus on providing core mental health services to the local community.
“But like many other organisations, we have been asked to make savings by the council and for us this is the most efficient way to do it while minimising the impact on our service users, staff and the wider community.
“As a NHS mental health services provider, we need, more than ever to focus our time and resources effectively. There are unprecedented challenges ahead and our focus remains on providing care and support to the people of North East Lincolnshire.”