A NEW mental health service is providing urgent help to adults and children in crisis across Bradford district and Craven.

Safe Spaces is offering same-day support to anyone aged seven and over.

People needing help with issues such as severe anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts or intense depression can access the service.

The initiative is being run by mental health charities The Cellar Trust and Mind in Bradford.

It replaces former safer space services Sanctuary, Haven and the children’s overnight service.

Under the new scheme, support workers will work alongside volunteers in hubs and 'crisis cafes'.

The first venue to open is the Bradford Hub, at Mind in Bradford, which was launched at the start of this month.

A hub will open in Keighley in October, when crisis cafes will also begin operating across the district.

A new children's overnight service is starting next month.

Safe Spaces programme director, Heather Butcher, said: "We’re so pleased to now be able to offer one-to-one support for all ages – including adults, young people and children aged seven and over – from our Bradford Hub."

As the service develops, collaboration with other organisations in the mental health sector will increase.

In a joint statement, Kim Shutler – chief executive officer of The Cellar Trust – and Helen Davey, her counterpart at Mind in Bradford, said: "We are delighted to be extending Safe Spaces in Bradford District and Craven, and excited to be working with ten other brilliant local charities. This will enable us to reach and support even more people in our community."

Kelly Barker, of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Safe Spaces represents a significant step forward in helping people in a mental health emergency get the right care at the right time across the district."

The service is also recruiting more staff and, from the autumn, volunteers.

There are crisis support worker and team leader roles.

"We would love to hear from people in the community interested in developing their careers in mental health," said a spokesperson. "This is a great opportunity to be part of an innovative service but also to make a huge difference every day."

For more about the Safe Spaces crisis service, visit healthyminds.services/content-article/safe-spaces-in-bradford-and-craven.

Details of vacancies and volunteer opportunities can be found at mindinbradford.org.uk.

To access one-to-one help, call 0800 952 1181. Lines are open 24 hours a day for people in the district.