A new neighbourhood health and wellbeing service has started up in the St Saviour’s Yard in Norwich this week.
The services, which will be delivered by local NHS, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), adult social services from Norfolk County Council, Change Grow Live, and a range of other local organisations, will aim to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the NR3 area of the city, offering help and support in the heart of the community.
Initially offered as a pilot until February 2027, th e community-based project will operate out of three containers leased from St Saviour’s Yard operators, Meanwhile Creative, to a partnership led by the NSFT. The new facilities will provide easier access to appointments and professional advice and support services – helping residents receive timely assistance in a welcoming and accessible environment.
Increasing collaboration is central to the new ambition to support people in their neighbourhoods, removing barriers to accessing the complex and varied support that people need. Partners involved will look to replicate this innovative approach across Norfolk, working with local communities to support people to live well and access the support they need earlier.
The project is a direct result of the redevelopment of Anglia Square which has led to the delivery of St Saviour’s Yard. The lease for the three containers and the set-up costs have been funded by the local NHS.
The services provided at these containers are not for emergency services and not generally a walk-in service, with residents invited to appointments through the usual methods.
The three St Saviour’s Yard units will initially deliver:
- alcohol support drop-in support
- mental health assessment
- social care, housing and debt advice
Councillor Margaret Thomas, Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Norfolk County Council, said: “I am delighted that, in partnership with our health, care and local authority colleagues, we are able to bring tailored support where it is needed most, at the heart of the community. By making support easily accessible and targeted to individual need, we can make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to working together at a local level to help people live healthier, more independent lives.”
Mark Burgis, Executive Director of Primary Care and Neighbourhood Health (Norfolk and Waveney) at NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a project we were delighted to support from the outset to help bring access to healthcare and wellbeing support closer to people’s homes.
“Our Central Norfolk Place and Neighbourhood Team has also helped bring local partners together to develop this innovative model. The project demonstrates how strong local partnerships can deliver joined-up services that respond to the needs and wishes of local people. We are grateful for the community engagement led by Shoebox Enterprises CIC, which played a key role in its development.”
Councillor Lucy Galvin, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “This project is a helpful outcome of our on-going redevelopment of Anglia Square. It aims to bring together some care and support services to deliver improvements to health and wellbeing in the local area.”
Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Andy Mack, said: “The St Saviours Yard project will make it easier for people in North Norwich to access mental health support closer to home. By bringing services into the heart of the community and working alongside local partners, the project will help people receive more personalised support, reduce missed appointments and assessments, and ensure more people can access safer, kinder and better care when they need it.”
Mat Armitage, Deputy Service Manager at Change Grow Live, Norfolk “We want to show North City Centre residents that Change Grow Live is here for them by offering our free support around alcohol in a way that fits around their lives. Being at St Saviour’s Yard every week means we can reach even more people who want guidance around drinking but aren’t sure how to get help. By working together with the other services in this partnership, we can help to improve the lives of North City Centre residents, ensuring they have access to support they deserve in the easiest way possible.”
Hanna Frost, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and Clinical Operations Manager for Planned Care in Norwich, has led EEC’s involvement in the collaboration: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to bring services together, opening channels of communication and promoting the areas we work in. It has also led to the development of Balance in Action in Norwich, a Physiotherapy led falls exercise and education group, at underutilised sheltered accommodation spaces. The integrated work has highlighted the importance of enhancing patient experience, involving patients in the development of services and focusing on preventative care in the community.”
A spokesperson for Meanwhile Creative said “We are ecstatic to support the NHS with this pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in the country. Providing three of our containers allows us to branch out and keep exploring what our Meanwhile spaces can achieve, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact on the local community.”