Hubs a vital connection for residents’ mental health - report
Lincolnshire’s network of Community Mental Health Hubs and Community Connectors is having a positive impact on residents’ wellbeing, according to an independent evaluation by the Lincolnshire Open Research and Innovation Centre (LORIC).
The report reveals how the Hubs have become vital lifelines for people facing isolation, poverty and mental health challenges. Offering free support, they provide welcoming spaces where individuals can access confidential advice, connect with local services, meet others, try new activities, and feel less alone.
There are currently 15 designated Hubs across the county, funded by the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and are supported by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT).
Each Hub serves a main town and its nearby communities and run in partnership with local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. The Hubs also includes satellite sites and a team of Community Connectors who work closely with residents to signpost to activities, groups or support that may benefit their individual needs.
Between September 2023 and March 2025, the Hubs welcomed over 107,000 visits and delivered £7.76 of social and environmental impact for every £1 spent, advancing NHS priorities in prevention, coordinated care, and trauma-sensitive support. This impact is echoed in community voices like Mike Farley Community Connector for Lincoln City, who said: “The excellent findings of this evaluation provide vital evidence to the success of the Connector and Wellbeing Hub model. The strong cross-sector partnerships and trusted relationships built across the county really are working for the benefit of what matters most to our communities.”
Tom, a regular guest at The Waddington Wellbeing Hub, shared: “The Wellbeing Hub is brilliant, and I love going to as many activities as I can. I used to feel really alone, and my mental health was bad, but not anymore. I love helping in any way I can and can now see a real future for myself that I never thought would be possible.”
This local approach directly supports national priorities outlined in the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England, which calls for more preventative, community-based, and person-centred healthcare.
Victoria Sleight, Head of Transformation at LPFT, who commissioned the report, added that: “This report shows how our Community Connectors and Wellbeing Hubs have become part of the very fabric of local life—breaking down barriers, offering vital person-centred support, and creating truly accessible, integrated spaces for services. They deliver an outstanding return on investment for the public purse, proving that community-driven solutions can be both impactful and cost-effective.”
For more information about the community connectors and hubs and other local community activities and groups across Lincolnshire visit www.haylincolnshire.co.uk
