Braintree's A Place To Be You struggling with funding

Mental health hub and community safe space, A Place To Be You is approaching its one-year anniversary.

Located in Braintree town centre, owner Gemma Griffin opened the hub in September last year, following extensive research in Braintree community.

She said: “I worked with Eastlight Community Housing on a research project to find out what Braintree residents wanted in the area and spent a year working in the community,

“It was clear that people needed somewhere in town that offered mental health support without long waiting lists.

“I received £50K in funding from East Light Community Housing to start A Place To Be You and help those struggling in the community."

Nearly a year on, A Place To Be You is extremely busy with an average of 15-20 members of the public visiting the hub each day, and 1,200 people receiving support online via Facebook.

“A lot of people message me, and I support them via messaging and signposting," Gemma said.

“I try to encourage online visitors to come to the hub in person – once you make that first step to come through the door, you’ll realise it’s not as bad as you think."

Social Subscribers, the NHS and the job centre also refer people to Gemma and A Place To Be You for immediate support.

Owner - Gemma Griffin opened the wellbeing hub in Braintree town centre last year (Image: Public)

Gemma said: “We opened as a mental health hub originally, but we’re now completely inclusive,

“I deal with everything – mental health support, ADHD support, homelessness, housing, just everything,

“I would never turn anyone anyway – everyone is welcome."

However, after running out of its original funding in June, and with visitor numbers rising, Gemma is constantly looking and applying for further funding to keep A Place To Be You in the community.

“I’m running on nothing at all," she said.

“I can’t afford to employ other members of staff - I haven’t even paid my own wages for the past two months.

“It’s a long process of trying to find funding, donations, governments grants – anything."

A Place To Be You offers a range of activities, proven to be beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues, including drumming circles, adult colouring, arts and crafts, Autism and ADHD coffee and cake meet ups, retro gaming, and breath work therapy.

The hub will be starting a men’s only group on August 7, 2024.

As well as this, A Place To Be You offers free counselling with a qualified councillor on the last Friday of every month.

Gemma said: “We do drop ins every Monday to Friday.

“Anyone can drop in at any time of the day and get support."

Despite worrying financial issues, Gemma remains positive and hopes to open another hub in Essex in the future.

She said: “My dream would be to franchise A Place To Be You, so that every town in Essex – in England even – has that spot where you can walk in and get that mental health support without having to wait 18 months,

“Every community needs that safe space where you can be 100 per cent yourself and this is that place,

“Seeing improvement in people is the most rewarding feeling – knowing that you make that difference for others,"

Gemma is currently looking for sponsorships, as well as funding, for A Place To Be You and hopes to remain in Braintree community for as long as possible.

For more information, visit A Place To Be You on Facebook.