Over 42,500 people have been through our doors. We have 11 locations. We're nationally recognised. We provide accommodation, offer free support and have two cafes, a caravan, a garden centre and chickens.
Who is it? Why it’s NAViGO of course.
Celebrating our tenth anniversary, we're looking back on a decade of major achievements.
All of this while ensuring we are ready to continue meeting the needs of local people feeling the impact of an extremely difficult year.
Since 2011, we've seen thousands of local people come through our doors, established employment services, opened two eateries, an outstanding eating disorder unit, a care home and a crisis café. And purchased a garden centre.
As an award-winning social enterprise that provides mental health services to the NHS and beyond, we offer a range of support across North East Lincolnshire - from acute patient to community facilities, as well as specialist amenities including a complex needs suite, dementia unit and 24/7 hospital liaison service.
We've developed income-generating, commercially viable businesses that provide training, education and employment opportunities for people with lived experience of mental health, including Grimsby Garden Centre, currently undergoing major redevelopment to create a bespoke independent shopping hub, introduce an eco-green barn and extend the current café area and retail space.
Supporting 1665 individuals to gain qualifications and 233 people into employment, we also provide 4000 hours of volunteering opportunities every year.
Our official charity – The Gardiner Hill Foundation – has provided over £66,000 in grants to support local people and offers a deluxe caravan to service users and carers as a place to relax, unwind and enjoy a much-needed break.
Recently ranked one of the country’s best following the NHS Staff Survey, we've been named one of the top 100 not-for-profit organisations to work for by The Sunday Times, five years in succession.
And were even named Health and Social Care Social Enterprise of the Year.
NAViGO chief executive Jane Lewington said: “We’re extremely unique at NAViGO. While we provide core NHS mental health services, we’re also a social enterprise, committed to providing employment and training opportunities for local people and creating income-generating businesses that reinvest profit back into mental health services.
“And that isn’t something you see at many places.
“Our ethos has always been to provide high-quality mental health services we’d be happy for our own families to use but we also know that for people to be healthy and well they need employment, a place to live and a sense of belonging.”
We've seen some big changes in the last ten years. NAViGO chair Tom Hunter said: “The conversation around mental health has changed over the last ten years and we’re extremely proud to have been part of that change – our crisis support is walk-in, our staff work side by side with service users – these are things that have really helped to change people’s perceptions.
“But we know there is still more that can be done to change attitudes, encourage conversation and we’re determined to do that.
“We have a dedicated, professional workforce who will continue to do that while further improving the support and care we provide. Here’s to the next ten years.”
We're using our anniversary to spread a wave of kindness throughout North East Lincolnshire through a series of random acts that say thanks, acknowledge the difficult last year and point towards a more hopeful twelve months.
And after the last year, the most difficult in the NHS’s history, we're keen to reiterate the support and variety of services we offer, providing professional advice, guidance and therapy.
And as for the name? Well it’s pronounced NAV – ih – GO. And it symbolises the mental health journey many people take as they ‘navigate’ their way towards recovery, with the ‘go’ signifying positive steps forward for individuals and mental health services.
Get help
If you are struggling to cope, are worried about someone you know or need to speak to someone urgently, there is a range of help available.
- The COVID-19 mental health support service offers support to anyone who has been affected by the pandemic in any way. It's free and available 24 hours a day. Just call (01472) 256256 and select option 3.
- If you’re in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call the Single Point of Access on (01472) 256256 and select option 3. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Safespace provides instant support if you’re vulnerable and need assistance with your mental health out-of-hours. You can speak to the team using Zoom or by calling in via telephone, between 5.30pm and 11pm, Monday to Friday.
- Open Minds offers a range of talking therapies aimed at helping you to deal with the effects of stress, anxiety and depression. You can self-refer to Open Minds online.