Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, visits Community Wellbeing Hub, Bridge Central
Published on: 29th April 2024
Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, Chair of the NHS Confederation, recently paid a visit to Bridge Central, the Community Wellbeing Hub located in Lincoln. Accompanied by John Turner, the CEO of the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, and their respective teams, Lord Adebowale had the opportunity to witness first-hand the impactful work being carried out by the Community Connectors at Bridge Central. During his visit, Lord Adebowale engaged in conversations with guests at the Hub, who shared personal anecdotes of how their mental health and wellbeing had been positively influenced by the services offered at Bridge Central.
Posting on X/Twitter to express his reflections on the visit, Lord Adebowale commended Bridge Central as a "fantastic facility," highlighting its collaborative approach that brings together the voluntary sector, mental health trust, and primary care staff to provide a service focused on prevention and early intervention. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives in bending the demand curve and reducing the need for more complex mental health interventions.
Lord Adebowale shared an inspiring story from his visit, recounting how one individual he spoke to had not left their house for 20 years before finding support at Bridge Central. He underscored the vital role of collaborations like Bridge Central, applauding the effective allocation of system funding to where it can have the most impact, irrespective of the organisation providing the service.
Mike Farley, Lead Community Connector at Bridgesaid:
“We had the pleasure of hosting a visit by Lord Adebowale at Bridge Central. We were deeply impressed by his empathy, attention to detail and by the fact that he gave most attention to our team of volunteers. Our volunteers are all supported by, and offer great support to, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub here at Bridge Church Lincoln and further support our work with young people through the Loft sessions and the Twilight Cafe pilot.”
Community Connectors from across the county, along with members of the Integrated Place Based Team, were present during Lord Adebowale's visit, offering valuable insights into the impact of Wellbeing Hubs like Bridge Central. The event highlighted the effective collaboration and innovative approaches to mental health and wellbeing support within the community.
