Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Help in crisis
Help in crisis

Services

Criminal Justice Liaison Service

Gloucestershire

The Criminal Justice Liaison Service (CJLS) provides interventions for persons from the age of 10, who find themselves within the criminal justice system, and are suspected of having health vulnerabilities such as mental health issues, a learning disability or substance misuse issues.

The aim of the service is to help these people to access appropriate services provided by statutory and third sector organisations as quickly as possible.

The CJLS provides an assessment of needs and short term interventions, which are available for those who have been arrested and are in police custody, or charged with an offence and appearing in front of the courts. It aims to ensure that people with mental health problems or other vulnerabilities are diverted from the criminal justice system when it is appropriate, and to support them through the criminal justice system when the nature of the offence prevents diversion from occurring.

The team consists of practitioners with a diverse range of experiences and work closely with all criminal justice agencies. There is a seven day a week presence in police custody, druing the opening hours of Cheltenham Magistrates Court, and where necessary Gloucester Crown Court.

The service also assists the courts in obtaining full psychiatric reports for those who are being considered for detention under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Should you experience a decline in your mental or physical health or have any question about medication, contact your GP.

Helpful links and other support

In an emergency

Mental Health Crisis NHS 111 – call 111 (select option 2)

 

Samaritans – call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

 

Shout – Text ‘Shout’ to 85258 – a free confidential text messaging support service.

Finance

Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire – provides confidential, free and impartial advice on debt, housing, benefits and employment issues.

 

The Gloucestershire Welfare Support Scheme provides practical support to eligible adults and families facing financial difficulties, including assistance for food, gas/electricity top-ups and household items, such as furniture and appliances.

 

Christians Against Poverty offers practical solutions regarding debt. It is a countywide service, and you do not need to be a Christian to apply.

 

Clean Slate is a money management and employment service supporting low-income households in the Stroud area.

Employment and education

Jobcentre Plus can assist you with claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, incapacity benefit, employment and support allowance, and income support, as well find work.

 

Adult Education in Gloucestershire provides learning for individuals, employers and communities, including courses on English, Maths and IT.

 

Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub offers support with training, career advice, apprenticeships, CV writing etc.

 

Forest Read Easy Deal  (FRED) is for those adults and children in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas who would like to improve their reading and early writing skills.

Housing

Caring for Communities and People (CCP) is a community-based support service which delivers short-term support to help people develop the skills needed to become self-reliant, resilient and live independently.

 

P3 charity offers a flexible service, working with people in crisis, and helping them with housing support.

 

Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre (CHAC) provides advice and assistance to people on matters relating to housing, benefits and money skills in the Cheltenham area.

 

Gloucestershire Nightstop offers emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-25 years.

Counselling services in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire Counselling Service

 

Listening Post. Call us on:

 

Brendan’s Bridge – Counselling service working in Gloucester, Cheltenham and the Forest of Dean.

 

Cotswold Counselling – based in the Cotswolds but will see anyone from across the county.

 

Qwell is a free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK.

 

Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service offers support to those bereaved by suicide.

Addiction support

VIA offers non-judgmental support to help people reduce, control or stop their substance use.

 

Emerging Futures is a countywide aftercare support service for adults affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Coaches help people reconnect with their local communities and build recovery capital.

 

SMART Recovery is an addiction recovery charity  promoting a choice in recovery through a national network of mutual-aid meetings, online training programmes and manuals.

 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). At AA, alcoholics help each other. We will support you. You are not alone. Together, we find strength and hope. You are one step away.

 

Narcotics Anonymous (NA). We are NA in the United Kingdom & Channel Islands. If you have a problem with drugs, we are recovering drug addicts who can help you get and stay clean.

 

Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction.

 

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a community of people who support each other in order to recover from compulsive eating and food behaviors. We welcome everyone who feels they have a problem with food.

 

Sex Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other for the purpose of finding freedom from addictive sexual behavior and helping others recover from sex addiction.

For women seeking support please contact:

Resources for Gloucester and the Forest of Dean

The Friendship Café provides community-based activities such as archery, woodworking and sewing classes.

 

The Cavern is a coffee shop and live music venue open 10am-11pm every day. It has a mental health drop-in for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults.

 

Gloucestershire Connect and Offload (CandO) is a helpline which supports adults living in Gloucestershire experiencing mild to moderate wellbeing difficulties, such as anxiety, low mood or depression, as well as self-harm. CandO also provides support and information to friends, family, carers and professionals.

 

Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) offers support to people living in the Forest of Dean, to help them get involved in community groups and activities.

 

Wye Dean Wellbeing is a community-interest company in the Forest of Dean which provides wellbeing services at a local level. Services include coaching, mindfulness, Reiki and confidence building.

Resources for Stroud and South Cotswolds

Creative Sustainability is a charity which aims to create inclusive, resilient communities that can support mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing for all. It also comprises 3rd Space – a youth hub for people up to the age of 25.

 

Sunflowers Suicide Support provides support for those bereaved by suicide, from people who know the pain and trauma of losing a loved one to suicide.

 

The Churn Project is a community project in Cirencester which helps people find practical solutions to their problems. Services include job clubs, walking groups and one-to-one support for those who are isolated.

 

The Keepers is a community hub in Wotton-under-Edge which links people with activities and services in the surrounding area.

 

Working 4 Wellbeing is a community organisation based in Fairford and Lechlade which has been created to listen, support and connect people to local help and work towards preventing loneliness and isolation.

Resources for Cheltenham, North Cotswolds and Tewkesbury

Hester’s Way Neighbourhood Project is based at Hester’s Way and Springbank Community resource centres in Cheltenham. The project has various groups, including a job club, martial arts, and art classes.

 

The Isbourne Wellbeing Centre provides people with the tools to inspire healthier and more positive lives. Courses include lunchtime mediation, yoga, Tai Chi and ‘Writing for Wellbeing’.

 

Cheltenham Open Door is a safe space for people to come together to chat, play pool or just grab some food and warmth. Open Monday to Thursday, 10am-3pm, for free lunch.

 

Chipping Campden Support Hub is a directory of local services providing support in the area, including help with the cost-of-living crisis, health and wellbeing and groups for young people.

Resources for Gloucestershire County

Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing College delivers educational courses which teach people the skills, techniques and knowledge to recover from long-term mental and physical health conditions.

 

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) is a county-wide service designed to reduce the level of domestic abuse and improve the safety of victims and their families.

 

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) provides confidential and non-judgemental support for all survivors of sexual violence.

 

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) supports those seeking asylum in Gloucestershire.

 

Independence Trust is a countywide community and wellbeing service.

 

Guideposts Trust is a telephone coaching service for those with complex emotional needs.

Nationwide Resouces

Get Self Help provides free Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) self-help resources.

 

RESPECT – Mens Advice Line. A helpline to support men affected by domestic abuse..

 

The ManKind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focusing on male victims of domestic abuse. The charity collaborates and works in close partnership with other organisations and practitioners to support these victims too.

 

Mind offers mental health support through information, advice and signposting to local services.

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide-prevention charity which aims to help people end their misery, not their lives.

 

Rights of Women provides women with the legal advice and information they need to understand and use the law and their legal rights.

Apps

Stay Alive suicide prevention resource. www.stayalive.prevent-suicide.org.uk

 

distrACT is a self-care app designed to support individuals dealing with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

 

Moodfit. The relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours happening in the context of your nervous system. www.getmoodfit.com

 

Calm Harm is a free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm.

 

Smiling Mind is a free mindfulness app. www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app

Skills and coping mechanisms

Simple body scan

Focus on the tension in each part of your body. As you breathe out imagine the tension leaving this part of your body.

 

Soothing rhythm breathing

Focus on your breathing, inhale slowly, allowing the air into your diaphragm. Notice your breathing – find a rhythm that is soothing and calming. Inhale for 3 seconds and exhale for 4 seconds. Gently bring your attention back if your mind wanders.

 

Mindful breathing

Imagine you have a balloon in your tummy. Each time you

breathe in the balloon inflates, and when you breathe out it deflates. Notice the sensations in your abdomen as the

balloon inflates and deflates.

 

STOPP

Stop

Take a breath

Observe

Pull back– perspective

Practice what works

 

NOW

Notice: Where my attention is

Observe: What I’m doing

Wise Mind: What now? How shall I continue?

 

Grounding:

5 things I can see

4 things I can hear

3 things I can touch

2 things I can smell

1 slow deep breath

Contact information

You can contact the Criminal Justice Liaison Team on 0300 421 4812 or write to:

Gloucestershire Criminal Justice Liaison Service
Montpellier Unit
Wotton Lawn Hospital
Gloucester
GL1 3WL

Self referral form

Locations for this service

Wotton Lawn Hospital
Accessibility