Stevenage Nightlight Crisis Café: A lifeline for mental health support

Following their success at the APSE Service Awards 2024 for Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative, take a deep-dive into the story of the Stevenage NightLight Crisis Cafe. 

The Hertfordshire Mind Network (HMN) delivers a countywide out-of-hours mental health crisis service called Nightlight. This initiative offers five essential components: the Nightlight Crisis Helpline, the Nightlight Crisis Café, and Nightlight Crisis House (Overnight), A&E Link Workers and a Daylight Crisis team. Each of these services plays a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises.

A Safe Haven in Stevenage

The Stevenage NightLight Crisis Café operates every day of the year, including bank holidays, and is situated conveniently next to the Healthy Hub Stevenage. Designed to be a welcoming and secure space, the café provides vital support for those feeling distressed or in crisis. Staffed by a dedicated team of skilled non-clinical mental health workers—many with lived experience of mental ill-health—the café offers empathetic, informed care.

At least two staff members are on duty during every shift, ensuring visitors receive the support they need. Services provided include:
•  A safe and comfortable environment.
•  Peer and one-to-one emotional support.
•  Assistance with crisis resolution and coping strategies.
•  Practical advice and information.
•  Signposting and referrals to relevant health, social care, housing, and community resources.
•  Access to specialist mental health services when necessary.

Addressing a Critical Need

The café’s establishment was spurred by Stevenage Borough Council following a worrying rise in suicide attempts and fatalities at Stevenage train station in 2021. This tragic increase led local stakeholders—including Hertfordshire County Council, HMN, and train operators—to advocate for a proactive solution.

Located within the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, adjacent to the train station, the café is accessible to both residents and visitors in need of immediate mental health support. Open from 7pm to 1am daily, the facility offers a non-clinical, relaxed environment where individuals in distress can talk to someone who understands.

Making a Difference

The café’s initial goals were ambitious yet vital:
•  Raise awareness of the new service
•  Provide immediate support and signposting for those in crisis
•  Reduce suicides, particularly on railways and other transport infrastructure
•  Promote wellness and recovery while reducing risks associated with mental health crises
•  Foster a sense of care and support within the Stevenage community

Since its launch in 2022, the café has supported nearly 2,000 individuals, with 93% of users self-referring and the majority aged between 18 and 44. In 2024 alone, the Stevenage café recorded 403 visits, contributing to a total of 884 visits across all Crisis Cafés in Hertfordshire—a testament to the pressing demand for such services.

Recognising Success

The initiative’s impact was acknowledged in September 2024 when it won the Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative at the APSE Awards. The recognition has boosted morale among staff, as Clynton, the Café Coordinator, explained:

“We are a more cohesive unit, not just here but across all our cafés. There’s a real sense of pride in our work, and the award has validated our efforts. Although visitor numbers have dipped slightly since the win, the team’s confidence and commitment have only grown.”

A Community Asset

The Stevenage NightLight Crisis Café exemplifies how early intervention and community support can make a tangible difference in mental health care. By providing a safe, compassionate environment, the café not only addresses immediate crises but also fosters long-term recovery and resilience.

As the service continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of Stevenage’s commitment to mental health, ensuring that no one faces their darkest moments alone.