Working with Primary Care Networks and GP practices, the service finds individuals on SMI registers who haven’t had a health check in the last three years. It then contacts them directly by phone, letter, or face-to-face to provide information, support, and encouragement to attend.
People with SMI face some of the worst health inequalities in England, with a life expectancy 15–20 years shorter than the general population, mainly due to preventable physical health issues. This service plays a vital role in narrowing that gap, supporting the national NHS Long Term Plan and Core20PLUS5 health inequality targets.
By helping people understand their health, access checks, and develop personal health plans, the South Cumbria outreach team empowers individuals to manage long-term conditions, enhance their quality of life, and connect with local services. It also strengthens collaboration across healthcare and community services, helping to reduce stigma and create more integrated, person-centred care for people living with SMI.
The Kitemark will help bring people together around shared values: care, compassion, and hope. It will emphasise where support is strong, where connections are forming, and where we are collaborating to prevent suicide and promote mental health and wellbeing.
The Orange Button scheme is a way of showing others in your community who are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about somebody else, that you are comfortable talking about suicide, can listen without judgement and can direct people to help support.
Our delivery partner Realign Futures provides suicide prevention training to support individuals, organisations, and communities to recognise and respond to suicide risk. Our training includes ASIST, a two-day course that builds practical suicide intervention skills, and safeTALK, an awareness session focused on identifying risk and connecting people to appropriate support.
