Birmingham’s first Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre officially opens

Birmingham’s first Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre (NMHC) has officially opened, marking a major step forward in transforming how mental health care is delivered in the city.

Delivered by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT), the Golden Hillock Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre in east Birmingham builds on a journey that began in January 2025, when the service first launched to provide more accessible, community-based mental health support. Since then, the service has supported 550 new referrals, demonstrating strong local demand and the need for more integrated care closer to home.

Earlier this year, the service – which is funded by NHS England for two years – moved into its new, purpose-designed home on Golden Hillock Road, enabling the team to expand their offer and deepen their work with local partners.

One of six national pilot sites, the NMHC provides person-centred support for adults in Small Heath, Heartlands and Bordesley Green, offering a welcoming and inclusive space designed around the mental health needs of the local community. Facilities include shared living and kitchen spaces, dedicated areas for reflection and wellbeing and bedrooms for short stays.

At the heart of the NMHC model is a strong partnership between NHS services and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. Together, they provide a wide range of support, including culturally responsive mental health care, creative and peer-led wellbeing activities, physical health programmes and practical advice on issues such as housing, benefits and legal rights – helping to meet people’s needs beyond clinical care.

The official opening event, on Tuesday 12 May, brought together representatives from NHS England, Birmingham and Solihull’s Integrated Care Board, The NHS Alliance, BSMHFT staff, community partners and invited guests. Attendees marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the building and contributed to a specially commissioned art installation. The day was also an opportunity to watch a brand-new animation explaining the purpose of the centre.

The centre is part of a wider transformation programme aligned to the NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to move care away from traditional hospital settings and into community-based environments – helping people to access support earlier and closer to home.

Roísìn Fallon-Williams, Chief Executive of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Today is a really special moment for Birmingham and especially for this east Birmingham community – a community full of strength, culture and connection.

“This Neighbourhood Mental health centre is about breaking down barriers and making it easier for people to get support in a place where they feel welcome, valued and understood.

“It reflects our commitment to the NHS Long Term Plan and a new era of mental health care that is shaped by communities, delivered closer to home and built on dignity, compassion and inclusion. I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved and excited for what comes next.”

The official opening represents both a celebration of the progress made so far and the Trust’s commitment to developing services that meet the evolving mental health needs of local people across Birmingham and Solihull.

For more on the Golden Hillock Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre, visit www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/247NMHC