| Day-support services such as drop-in clubs, day-centres and resource centres all offer people with mental health needs somewhere to go during the day where they can meet and socialise with other local people who have experienced mental distress.
What else is on offer varies from centre to centre, but most day-support services provide a place where you can relax and speak freely about your experiences in an understanding and supportive environment, plus the chance to take part in a variety of activities – anything from playing cards to going on excursions; or trying a new activity, such as art or improving your daily-living skills.
Who are these services for?
They are usually open to anyone with a mental health problem living in the community. Some may specialise in older or younger people.
|Top| What do these services offer?
The services aim to help you by providing:
- a place for you to meet and socialise informally with people in a similar situation to yourself
- the chance to take part in a range of activities that fit your own needs and interests. The activities on offer vary from centre to centre, but often include day-trips, art and craft, sport and education or training. You may get the chance to do things and go places that you might find difficult to do on your own
- emotional and practical support from trained staff who can support you to manage any problems you might be having, and help develop your personal interests
- support to access other local facilities and services
- information about learning or employment opportunities, theatres and concerts, events, churches and religious groups to help you take a fuller part in your community.
|Top| What facilities do they have?
Facilities vary from place to place, but most clubs and centres have a television and video, a supply of games and somewhere to play them, a kitchen with tea- and coffee-making facilities, toilets, and a small garden area so that you can sit outside.
Some clubs and centres may also be able to offer you transport as well as information on other local services, facilities and activities.
|Top| How do they work?
When you first start going to a club or centre, a member of the staff team will ask what you would like to focus on, and work with you to help you achieve your goals.
You review the plan together regularly – usually about every six months – and change it as your needs and interests change.
|Top| Is food available?
At many centres and clubs, meals are provided for a small charge.
|Top| Where can you find day-support?
There are day-support services in most parts of the country. Some are run by voluntary organisations like Together, others by local councils. Most are based in a large house or purpose-built building near the centre of a city or town, on or near bus or train routes. Your GP, social worker or community mental health (psychiatric) nurse will know what is available in your area.
|Top| When are day-support services open?
Each day-support service has different opening hours. Some centres are open all day, other clubs open only in the evening or at weekends.
|Top| How can I get to use the service?
You can be referred to this kind of service:
- by your GP
- by a social worker, community mental health (psychiatric) nurse or your community mental health team
- by someone in your family
- by a carer or friend
- by getting in touch yourself via phone or letter.
|Top| How long can I use the service?
You can use most day-support services for as long as you feel they are useful to you. Many people find they make good friends and contacts through this type of service, and they often feel it helps them to build confidence and try new things.
|Top| How is the service paid for?
These services tend to be funded by local councils, sometimes working in partnership with voluntary and other organisations. They are generally free to those who attend, though there may be a small charge for meals or trips etc.
|Top| How can I get involved in the running of the service?
At Together we believe that services like this ‘belong’ to their members, and encourage everyone to take an active part in developing and running their club or centre. Most day-support services have regular meetings at which members can make suggestions or raise concerns.
Members can also get involved in the selection of new staff, and are regularly asked for their opinions as part of Together’s quality-assurance system which is used to assess standards at our services.
We are committed to working with clients to develop our services, rather than dictating what we think they ‘should’ do. So the opinions and ideas of those using our facilities are encouraged at all times.
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about any of Together’s day-support services, please contact them direct. Our services are listed county by county in alphabetical order. Click on the links for detailed information about each service. | 
