ABOUT

Concept

Mental health charity Chasing the Stigma (CTS) teamed up with Mashbo to create a digital platform that brings grassroots and national mental health services together in one place so that - using the location of the web browser or mobile device - anyone, anywhere can find the nearest source of support for any mental health issue, from depression and anxiety to PTSD and suicidal thoughts.

The web app was developed in conjunction with CTS's founder, Jake Mills, a suicide survivor who has experienced depression and loneliness first hand. The target audience and strategy behind the Hub of Hope has no restrictions on age, gender, sexuality, or location - making it easier for people to find the right mental health support for them.

Execution

The bright colours and minimal design, combined with the easy to use UX is focused on making the web app accessible to users who may be feeling distressed.

The user can select ‘find nearby services’ and, by using their Internet enabled device's location, the app will display the help available. If they are looking for support in a different location they can enter a postcode and search.

Users can also add filters to deliver results for specific mental health issues. There is also a 'Talk Now' button at the bottom of the page that sends the user straight through to the Samaritans who are also endorsing the Hub of Hope.

Results

The Hub of Hope's biggest success has been the hope that it has given thousands of people and its place as a vital stopgap for those on the 5 to 6 month NHS waiting list for mental health referrals.

Since the launch of The Hub of Hope in July 2017 it has received over 10,000 unique visits from 751 different cities and towns across 59 countries. More than 7,500 of those users are engaging in over 300 UK locations. The Hub of Hope currently has over 1,000 validated support networks registered on the web app and an app store version of the Hub of Hope to facilitate the engagement with younger users is imminent.

The Hub of Hope will be part of the NHS Zero Suicide mandate and has already been used as a part of the NHS and CCG’s social prescription campaign. The Hub of Hope also has support and endorsement from the NHS, Samaritans North West AGM, Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police, Cleveland Police, South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield Council, The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities (TASC), Future Mental Health Nurses National Conference, AMPHA Annual Conference, British Association of Social Workers, Liverpool University, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University, Edge Hill University - Paramedic Students, Chester University, Warrington Wolves, Sale Sharks, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Innovation Agency, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Hertfordshire County Council, HMRC, Making Space - Health and Social Care Services an the Merseycare NHS Trust.

The web app has also received significant media coverage including Sky News, Davina Hour, The Independent, ITV News, Liverpool Echo, Good News Liverpool, Happiful Magazine, Business Cloud, Daily Mirror, The Drum, Prolific North, 5 Live and local BBC radio.