Reading’s new ‘crisis cafe’ will open on Friar Street in the town centre in the next few months.

Berkshire West Breathing Space will be based at 27-29 Friar Street, near to Reading homelessness charity Launchpad.

Breathing Space will be a safe and welcoming place where people aged over 18 can go in the evenings if they are feeling emotionally distressed or need mental health help.

READ MORE: Community group unveils alternative 100-acre green space plan for Reading Golf Club site

Any young person (under 18) accessing the service will also be offered support and signposted to appropriate Children and Young Persons services.

The service is funded by the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and for people living in the Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham authority areas.

It will be run by national charity Together for Mental Wellbeing.

Niki Cartwright, Director of Joint Commissioning at Berkshire West CCG, said: “We are very pleased to announce this next step towards establishing a Breathing Space, formerly referred to as a crisis café.

“We already commission Together For Mental Wellbeing to provide local services at Berkshire West Your Way, working alongside people with mental health issues to help them lead fulfilling and independent lives.

“They consistently show they have a good knowledge and working relationship with our partner agencies in Berkshire West and this, coupled with experience at a national level, puts them in a strong position to fulfil our brief and provide an exceptional service for our people.”

READ MORE: Royal Berkshire Hospital failed to screen patients for Covid, inspection finds

The need for a Breathing Space facility was highlighted during last year’s review of the Mental Health Crisis Service in Berkshire West.

People with experience of mental health problems said there was a need for a one-stop signposting service with more face to face interaction at times of crisis.

They also said support should be provided when needed in a space free from judgment where staff and peers understand the circumstances that can lead to a crisis.

Once open, the service will provide support every Friday to Monday evening, from 5pm until 11pm. And be accessible in-person, online via video chat or on the phone.