Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust We are the mental health and learning disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York

We are the mental health and learning disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York. From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care - our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for. We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work
together with us towards better mental health. We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it. We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life. This account is not monitored 24/7. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. Find out more about the mental health support available to you on our website www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-support

Not all NHS volunteers are human! 🐾At our West Park Hospital, Bella – a Pets as Therapy volunteer – brings joy and comfo...
08/12/2025

Not all NHS volunteers are human! 🐾
At our West Park Hospital, Bella – a Pets as Therapy volunteer – brings joy and comfort to patients, staff, and fellow volunteers on the wards.
Read more about how her owner, Laura, was motivated to give back to the NHS.
Her handler, Laura, is now also a peer practitioner for the Stockton community team, which means Bella can continue spreading happiness in this new role too. 💙
Thank you to Bella and Laura for making such a positive difference! NHS England NHS North East and Yorkshire

The Competition 2025/26 is back!Help young people discover amazing NHS careers they never knew existed through creativ...
08/12/2025

The Competition 2025/26 is back!
Help young people discover amazing NHS careers they never knew existed through creative challenges:
🎨Key Stage 2: Create artwork
showcasing NHS roles
📣Key Stage 3: Design an inspiring job advert.
Pupils can get started in just one hour using our free resources!
https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/schools

People with learning disabilities in Middlesbrough are invited to a festive Health Café. 🎁“The Health Café is for people...
05/12/2025

People with learning disabilities in Middlesbrough are invited to a festive Health Café. 🎁

“The Health Café is for people who may struggle to access traditional healthcare,” says Lisa Boyer, primary care learning disability link worker.

“It offers a welcoming, informal space for accessible health information.”

🎄The Learning Disability Health Café Christmas event will take place at South Bank Library, Middlesbrough on 12 December from 12 noon to 1.30pm.

Each month the Learning Disability Health Café focuses on a healthcare topic, to help people with learning disabilities improve their health.

The Health Café is run by our trust alongside Easton Primary Care Network (PCN).

Pictured here are Vicki Spall, Lisa Boyer and Louise Redpath from the health facilitation team.

Link in comments.

03/12/2025

Exciting innovation in mental health care!

Earlier this week, North Yorkshire Talking Therapies introduced BBC News York and North Yorkshire to their new VR-based mindfulness treatment🧘‍♀️🎮

The team showcased the technology, highlighting how VR is transforming therapy, while Charlie, a patient, shared how this innovative approach has supported his mental health journey 💬

👉 Read more about this new treatment: https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/north-yorkshire-talking-therapies-new-vr-powered-mindfulness/

💙 To self-refer to North Yorkshire Talking Therapies, visit: https://northyorkshiretalkingtherapies.co.uk/

The upcoming Christmas and New Year period can be a stressful and difficult time for many.☎️ If you, or someone you know...
28/11/2025

The upcoming Christmas and New Year period can be a stressful and difficult time for many.

☎️ If you, or someone you know, experiences a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Available 24/7, you will speak to a mental health professional who will listen to you and help you find the right support.

www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/crisis-advice

‘Selfless’ volunteer Mary Grimes, who at 21 was given just eight weeks to live, now helps others battling the same eatin...
27/11/2025

‘Selfless’ volunteer Mary Grimes, who at 21 was given just eight weeks to live, now helps others battling the same eating disorder. ❤️

Mary, a retired primary school teacher from Darlington, is an activities volunteer on our Birch Ward, which treats adults with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.

💬 She said volunteering makes her feel valued, accepted and grateful: “I know what it’s like to live with an eating disorder,” she said.

“For decades I didn’t think I was poorly. I’d never slimmed in my life. I was eventually admitted to hospital at 21, where I was told I only had eight weeks to live.

“It’s so difficult to break the cycle. It’s something that you need to do yourself. Patients often ask me, how did you do it, Mary? and I tell them; you’ll find your way. It’s about accepting who you are.”

Mary volunteers every week on Birch Ward, dedicating thousands of hours of her time to helping others. She even spends the full day on the ward so she can fit around the needs of the patients, their motivation and treatment sessions.

This month Mary celebrated her 10-year anniversary at our trust. She was presented with flowers and gifts by both the ward and our trust’s voluntary services team. 💐

A patient from Birch Ward said: “She has touched the hearts and lives of every patient and staff member she has met over her amazing 10 years of service, and I hope she knows how valued and loved she is by all.” 🫶

❄️ Beating the winter blues isn’t easy and it can be a tough time for young people, parents, and carers.🌊 Waves, our Cou...
26/11/2025

❄️ Beating the winter blues isn’t easy and it can be a tough time for young people, parents, and carers.

🌊 Waves, our County Durham and Darlington parent and carer support groups are on hand to listen and support.

Led by a friendly parent peer practitioner and supported by a CAMHS staff member, the group will listen, and offer advice and guidance based on their own lived experiences.

📍 2 December, 6 January, 3 February, 10am to 12noon, Mulberry Centre, Rowan Building, Darlington Memorial Hospital, DL3 6HX
📍 3 December, 7 January, 4 February, 10am to 12noon, Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham, DH1 5RD
📍 16 December, 20 January, 17 February, 10am to 12noon, SENDIASS, Lee House, Lee Terrace Easington Village, Peterlee, SR8 3AB
📍 17 December, 21 January, 18 February, 6pm to 8pm, Acley Centre, Carers Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4PE

There’s no need to book we would love to see you. If you have any questions, please email the team at tewv.waves@nhs.net.

More information and future dates are on our website 👇
www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/camhs/waves-parent-and-carer-support-group

26/11/2025

Meet Toby the therapy dog, our new canine colleague 🐾

Breed 🐶
Labradoodle

Human 👨
Jamie, a psychological therapist in our community mental health team in Durham.

Qualifications 🌟
Registered Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog who proudly holds his pin registration.

Personality 💙
Calm, gentle, warm and playful. An intuitive ability to sense when someone needs comfort or reassurance, often offering a friendly paw at just the right time. Likes playing in the snow!

We can’t wait to see Toby around the wards at Lanchester Road Hospital.

Our Easington mental health service for older people is one of the first nationally to pilot diagnosing autism within th...
25/11/2025

Our Easington mental health service for older people is one of the first nationally to pilot diagnosing autism within the service.

Dr Jonathan Summerill, a clinical psychologist, said: “Many people can go through life without knowing that they are autistic and therefore not having their needs being fully met.

“Providing people with a diagnosis can give them and their families many answers, including an increased understanding of themselves and how they can be best supported.”

Picture shows Dr Jonathan Summerill and Ashley Campbell, team manager, outside The Old Vicarage in Seaham.

Link to read more in the comments.

21/11/2025

🌟 PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY 🌟

Last week, I had the pleasure of officially opening the brand-new Mental Health Community Hub at the One Life Centre on Park Road, a huge step forward for local mental health services.

With the move from Stewart House to this modern, welcoming facility, the team can now offer even more comprehensive support: full assessments of mental health and social care needs, safeguarding and risk support, plus help with employment and wider wellbeing.

Speaking with the staff was genuinely inspiring. Their dedication, compassion and belief in every person who walks through the door shines through.

Their message was simple but powerful:

✨ Help is available.
✨ Don’t lose hope.
✨ Together, we can build a positive future for everyone.

Proud to stand with such an incredible team delivering life-changing support in our community. 💙

21/11/2025

Our Adult Community Mental Health Team in Hartlepool has officially opened new offices in the town’s One Life Centre, and their patients love it.

MP for Hartlepool, Jonathan Brash, cut the blue ribbon saying, “This is a fantastic facility, and I know the amazing work you do here. Every day you’re not just helping people you’re saving lives. I think what you do for the people of Hartlepool is remarkable.”

His positive comments were echoed by Donna Owens, service manager, who added, “The new location is in the heart of our community - it’s much more accessible, and close to other health and support services. Mental health is as important as physical health so it’s important that we’re able to provide support in a place that feels warm and welcoming.”

Colleagues working in the new facility feel much more professional. “It makes us feel valued and gives us a real sense of pride,” said Carol Longstaff, administration lead. “We’re also able to work much more closely with partners, such as the community hub and pharmacies.”

Most important of all, the people we support in Hartlepool are just as impressed with the new premises which started hosting appointments before the official opening. “Patients have told us that they love it and that they have a nicer experience,” said Lynsey Wright, team manager. “In the first few months we’ve already seen an improvement in the number of appointments attended, which is really positive."

Ridgeway proudly supports the Poppy Appeal🎖️🇬🇧Staff and patients from Ridgeway have once again shown their community spi...
17/11/2025

Ridgeway proudly supports the Poppy Appeal🎖️🇬🇧

Staff and patients from Ridgeway have once again shown their community spirit by raising a total of £125.88 for this year’s Poppy Appeal - the annual fundraising campaign run by The Royal British Legion (RBL) to support our UK Armed Forces community.

The funds raised by the hospital will go toward supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families through essential mental health support, financial assistance and housing guidance. ❤️

Dr Victorina Clegg, specialist counselling psychologist at Ridgeway, said: "As a veteran now working in the NHS, the sight of people wearing a poppy or contributing to the appeal is deeply moving.

“The poppy bridges two worlds for me: my past life in uniform and my present role in healthcare. Both are rooted in service, protecting lives in one context and caring for lives in another.

“When I see patients, families and colleagues supporting the appeal, it reinforces that shared value of compassion and commitment. It reminds me that service does not end when the uniform comes off; it simply takes a different form."

Stephanie Addison, engagement facilitator at Ridgeway and a volunteer for the RBL, said: “The generosity from service users and staff has been truly heart-warming. Every donation, no matter the size, helps The Royal British Legion continue its vital work. Thank you to everyone who contributed.” 🙏

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Head Office/West Park Hospital, Edward Pease Way
Darlington
DL22TS

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