HELP programme transforms lives while reducing pressure on NHS services

With funding provided by Duchy Health Charity, a pioneering community support programme in Cornwall is delivering significant improvements in mental wellbeing while easing pressure on overstretched NHS services, new evaluation findings reveal.

The Charity awarded £28,978 of funding to help bring the HELP in the Waiting Room programme to life.

The programme was delivered alongside counselling support between April 2025 and March 2026, has supported over 370 people across Cornwall, many of whom were facing long waits for statutory mental health services.

Supporting people when they need it most

The report shows the scale of demand for early intervention support. In total, 245 individuals accessed HELP and 126 people received counselling, with 54 people benefiting from both services.

The programme is designed to provide practical and emotional support to people while they wait for NHS or other statutory services, and the findings underline just how critical that role has become.

Survey data highlights that:

70% of participants had been waiting more than four months for mental health support
40% had been waiting 10 months or longer
90% remained on waiting lists during their time with HELP

This confirms HELP’s role as a vital ‘bridge service’, stabilising people and preventing escalation during prolonged delays in care.

Strong outcomes and measurable impact

The programme demonstrates consistently strong outcomes across multiple wellbeing measures.

98% of clients improved their wellbeing by the end of support
89% reported reduced severity in their main concern
82% saw improvement in secondary concerns

Average wellbeing scores increased significantly, showing clear progress in people’s mental health over time.

Participants reported improvements in:

Anxiety, depression and emotional distress
Confidence, coping skills and relationships
Ability to manage housing, finance and employment challenges

These results highlight the value of a holistic, person-centred approach, addressing both emotional and practical needs.

Photo credit: Pepper Pot Studios

High engagement across Cornwall

Demand for the service is widespread, with referrals concentrated in Camborne, Pool and Redruth, but extending across Cornwall from Penzance to St Austell.

Referrals came primarily from:

NHS and GP services (37.4%)
Self-referrals (33.3%)

Together, these accounted for over 70% of all referrals, demonstrating strong links with primary care alongside community access routes.

The programme also delivered 1,865 group attendances, helping people build confidence, reduce isolation and connect with their communities.

Tackling complex needs

The evaluation highlights the complex challenges faced by those accessing support.

Many participants were:

Unemployed or unable to work due to illness
Living alone or in small households
Experiencing multiple health issues, including anxiety, depression and long-term physical conditions

Importantly, many individuals reported undiagnosed conditions, reinforcing the need for accessible, non-clinical support routes like HELP.

Providing practical help as well as emotional support

Alongside emotional support, the programme delivered vital practical assistance.

Over £30,000 in financial support was distributed
Support included food access, housing assistance and help navigating benefits

Participants consistently highlighted:

Feeling listened to and understood
Reduced distress while waiting for services
Reliable, ongoing support

Reducing pressure on public services

Without HELP, participants said they would have turned to:

GP services
A&E departments
Emergency services
Adult social care

This demonstrates the programme’s role in preventing escalation into crisis services, delivering benefits across the wider health and care system.

Delivering exceptional value for money

The evaluation also assessed the programme’s broader social impact.

The programme generated an estimated:

£291,000 in social value

A model for prevention and early intervention

The findings demonstrate that HELP in the Waiting Room is:

Improving mental wellbeing
Preventing crisis escalation
Supporting people through long waiting periods
Reducing demand on NHS and emergency services

As waiting times for statutory services remain high, programmes like HELP are increasingly vital in creating a more resilient, preventative system of care.