Mind in Mid Herts Announces Opening of Alon’s Wellbeing Centre in Hatfield Town Centre
Hatfield, Hertfordshire – Mind in Mid Herts (MiMH), a leading local mental health charity in Hertfordshire, is proud to announce the opening of Alon’s Wellbeing Centre in Hatfield Town Centre. Alon’s Wellbeing Centre, located at 56 Town Centre, Hatfield, AL10 0JJ. The centre will offer day services on weekdays and a Nightlight Crisis Café is running every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 7 PM to 1 AM.
Access to this service can be obtained by calling the Herts Mind Network (HMN) Nightlight service (01923 256391). This initiative is a collaborative effort, showcasing the partnership and shared commitment to mental health support between MiMH and HMN.
Thanks must go to the NHS England Urgent Emergency Care who awarded a Capital Grant which has enabled our partnership to open this crisis cafe.
This new facility has been named in memory of Alon, a young man who tragically took his own life on Christmas Day in 2016. His parents, Ehud and Shlomit Eliashar, have made a generous donation to ensure that others in the community have access to crucial mental health support, fulfilling their vision that no one should feel alone in their struggles.
The establishment of Alon’s Wellbeing Centre is a significant step towards Mind in Mid Herts future ambition to create Alon’s House – a centre of excellence. This proposed centre will provide comprehensive support for those reaching out with mental health concerns, operating both day and evening services seven days a week. The strategic location in Hatfield, central to most of Hertfordshire, will enable maximum accessibility for individuals seeking help.
“We are so proud of this new centre, which is so easy and accessible for people to get to. It makes so much sense for us to be located on the high street normalising the conversation about mental health” says Sharn Tomlinson, CEO of MiMH.
Mind in Mid Herts welcomed the community to the Launch event at Alon’s Wellbeing Centre, which took place on Wednesday, 24th January 2024. This significant event, marked by a combination of remembrance, hope, and dedication to mental health awareness and support, saw the attendance of Alon’s parents, Ehud and Shlomit Eliashar.
“It’s amazing. We’ve been waiting for this day a long, long time, and it’s only the first step because in the end, we’ll get to the main centre. That’s what we’re hoping for.” Says Ehud, Alon’s Father. “Mind In Mid Herts means a lot to us as Shlomit volunteered for a few years before we lost Alon. It’s a place that does marvellous things. The things that happen there and the things they do for people of all sorts of ages and helping them in a variety of ways is amazing. And we couldn’t find a better place to want to try and make something that will commemorate Alon.”
Prominent figures also attended including Councillor Pankit Shah, Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield who commented saying:
“Our shared commitment to mental health is not just a duty, but a collective responsibility that defines the strength and resilience of our community. This centre will deliver services for people experiencing a mental health crisis and those in need of support and ensuring no one feels alone when they need help. As the mayor of this incredible community, I am proud to be supportive of an organisation that values the mental health of every individual.”
The launch was further attended by the Mayor of Hatfield Town, Gareth Aicken, Ka Ng CEO of Welwyn Hatfield Council, Andrew Slade Principle at Oaklands College, and the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, staff and trustees of Mind in Mid Herts, among other supporters, highlighting the collective commitment of local leaders and institutions to mental health initiatives in the community.
Posted on: 1st February 2024
