Stevenage NightLight Crisis Café: A Safe Place for Mental Health Support

At Citizens Advice Stevenage, we know that many people face difficult moments where they need someone to talk to. When a mental health crisis happens, it can feel overwhelming and isolating.

The Stevenage NightLight Crisis Café offers a safe and welcoming space where people can get support, talk to someone who understands, and find help when they need it most.

This service plays an important role in supporting the wellbeing of people in our community.

What is the Stevenage Crisis Café?

The NightLight Crisis Café in Stevenage is a free out-of-hours mental health support service run by Hertfordshire Mind Network.

It provides a calm, non-clinical environment where people who are feeling distressed, overwhelmed, or experiencing a mental health crisis can talk to trained support workers.

The café is open: 7pm to 1am, every day of the year – including weekends and bank holidays. It is located at the Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre on Lytton Way, close to both the train station and bus station, making it easy for people to access.

Why the Crisis Café was created

The Crisis Café was developed as part of a wider effort across Stevenage to improve mental health crisis support and help prevent suicide in the local area.

Several organisations worked together to make this service possible, including:

• Hertfordshire Mind Network

• Stevenage Borough Council

• Hertfordshire County Council Public Health

• Network Rail and British Transport Police

• Samaritans

• Local GP practices and healthcare partners

The aim was to ensure that people experiencing distress have somewhere safe to go for immediate support, rather than reaching a point where emergency services are needed.

What support can you get at the Crisis Café?

The café is staffed by experienced mental health workers, many of whom have personal experience of mental health challenges. This helps create a supportive and understanding environment.

Visitors to the café can receive:

• A safe and comfortable place to talk

• One-to-one emotional support

• Peer support from trained staff

• Help to manage a crisis and develop coping strategies

• Advice and practical information

• Signposting to local services, including housing, health and community support

• Referrals to specialist mental health services if needed

The goal is to help people feel calmer, supported, and better able to cope with what they are going through.

A safe and welcoming space

The Stevenage Crisis Café is designed to feel relaxed and welcoming. Visitors can sit comfortably, have a conversation with staff, or spend time doing calming activities such as drawing or crafts.

For many people, simply having a safe place to talk can make a significant difference during a difficult time.

The service is available to adults who need support with their mental health and want to speak with someone face-to-face in a supportive environment.

How the Crisis Café is helping the Stevenage community

Since opening, the Stevenage NightLight Crisis Café has supported thousands of people in the local area.

Many visitors attend because they feel:

• Isolated or lonely

• Overwhelmed by personal problems

• Anxious or distressed

• Unsure where to turn for help

By providing early support and crisis intervention, the café helps people find the right support sooner and avoid situations becoming more serious. It is also part of a wider community effort in Stevenage to promote wellbeing, reduce suicide risk, and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

How to access the Stevenage Crisis Café

If you are experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, you can contact the café directly.

Opening hours: 7pm – 1am, every day of the year

Phone: 01923 256391 Email: nightlight@hertfordshiremind.org

Staff can talk with you about your situation and help arrange a visit.

Citizens Advice Stevenage: helping you find support

At Citizens Advice Stevenage, we are committed to helping people access the support they need. Alongside advice on issues such as debt, housing, benefits and employment, we also signpost clients to local services that support wellbeing.

The NightLight Crisis Café in Stevenage is an important resource for anyone who needs mental health support in a safe and understanding environment.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for support is a positive step.

You are not alone.