Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Mental Health Resource Centre in Sunderland
Sunderland Headlight is a service user-led mental health resource centre dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and community for individuals facing mental health challenges. We provide comprehensive support through information services, volunteer opportunities, and tailored courses designed to build confidence and social integration. Our user-led ethos ensures active involvement in decision-making processes, creating an inclusive environment where individuals develop through participation and relationship-building.We offer a safe space for crisis support, listening sessions, and recreational activities, working collaboratively with mental health professionals to deliver timely, person-centred care. Our mission is to empower individuals to achieve personal growth, reduce stigma, and improve mental wellbeing through structured community engagement and mutual support.
Services
Mental Health Support
Volunteer Opportunities
Advice Service
Listening Sessions
Community Activities
Highlights and features
- We operate as a fully user-led mental health organisation
- We provide crisis support through multi-agency collaboration
- Our services actively reduce mental health stigma
- We offer structured confidence-building programmes
- Our team receives consistent professional recognition
What people say
Positive work in community
Safe to socialise
Excellent at breaking barriers
Recognise relapse indicators
Approachable staff
Services
Mental Health Support
Our mental health support services combine peer-led initiatives with professional partnerships to deliver comprehensive care. We specialise in crisis intervention, offering immediate assistance through trained staff who recognise early relapse indicators. Our approach focuses on building personal resilience through structured confidence-building programmes that help individuals develop coping strategies while fostering social connections within a supportive community environment.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering programmes provide meaningful engagement through peer support roles and organisational responsibilities. Participants gain valuable experience while contributing to service development, with opportunities ranging from event coordination to mentoring new members. These roles specifically target social reintegration goals by building practical skills and creating purposeful connections within our user-led framework.
Advice Service
Our advice service offers tailored information about mental health resources and community support networks. Staff provide practical guidance on accessing appropriate care pathways while navigating complex systems. This service specifically addresses individual needs through one-on-one consultations that help members understand their options and connect with relevant specialist services within our established professional network.
Listening Sessions
Structured listening sessions create safe spaces for emotional expression through trained peer support workers. These confidential conversations follow established protocols to ensure appropriate boundaries while providing validation and understanding. The service specifically targets immediate emotional needs, offering crisis de-escalation techniques and connecting individuals with longer-term support options when required.
Community Activities
Recreational and educational activities promote social inclusion through group participation. Our weekly schedule includes creative workshops, discussion groups, and skill-building sessions designed to reduce isolation. These programmes specifically address community integration goals by creating consistent social opportunities that help members develop interpersonal skills and establish supportive relationships within a structured environment.
Questions
What mental health services do you offer?
We provide crisis support, listening sessions, confidence-building courses, and social activities tailored to individual needs through professional partnerships.
How can I access your services?
Contact us via phone or email to arrange an initial 'Meet and Greet' session where we'll discuss your specific support requirements.
Do you work with healthcare professionals?
Yes, we collaborate with mental health services to ensure coordinated care packages for individuals in crisis situations.
Are your services free to access?
All our core support services operate on a donation basis to ensure accessibility for all community members regardless of financial circumstances.
What makes your approach unique?
Our user-led model prioritises lived experience in decision-making, creating authentic peer support networks that traditional services often lack.
How do you support recovery?
Through structured social engagement, skill-building activities, and professional collaboration that empowers individuals to manage their mental health effectively.
Reviews (5)
Tony Sidaway
Jul 03, 2019
Report
My autistic daughter and I call this "The Diogenes Club." That's a Sherlock Holmes reference. It's a lovely oasis in town where you can be assured of a welcome. Put a pound in the pot when you visit.
Youthworker Emma
Mar 31, 2019
Report
A lifeline for those affected by mental health problems. No matter your postcode, if you are affected by mental health problems you are welcome at Headlight. Proud to be member and trustee of such a positive project, that is a big part of the Sunderland community.
Lynne Bostock
Oct 13, 2018
Report
Headlight is an amazing place!. I have made some amazing friends and helped me tremendously!. The staff are fantastic and are always there to offer support and kind words. I know that I can speak to someone when I am struggling. I would definitely recommend it!.
Graham Leggett
Sep 04, 2018
Report
It is a great and helpful place to be. very professional and friendly sfaff.A great place to be yourself .
Norman Watson
Aug 14, 2016
Report
I attended a few times and didn't like the attitude of some of the people their. Was made to feel paranoid which made my mental condition worse. Walked out and never went back. Ruined by a few.
