Recovery Space: Free Community Mental Health Support

What is Recovery Space?

Recovery Space offers a calmer alternative to A&E for people experiencing mental health distress. Open daily, 9am to 11pm across two sites, this service provides a welcoming environment where you can access peer support from people who understand what it's like to struggle with mental health. The service is part of the Croydon Health & Wellbeing Space partnership between Mind in Croydon and NHS South West London.

Unlike clinical settings, Recovery Space is designed to feel comfortable and non-threatening. The focus is on helping you feel safer and more stable, with the aim of preventing escalation to crisis point. It's part of Croydon's alternative crisis care pathway, complementing the 24-hour SLaM Crisis Line.

Who Can Use Recovery Space?

Recovery Space is free and is for Croydon residents aged 18 and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis. A daytime drop-in is available at the Croydon Health & Wellbeing Space, and you can self-refer to the outreach service via the online form; the out-of-hours crisis service in East Croydon is accessed by referral from a mental health professional (for example a SLaM clinician or your GP) for people who do not need inpatient admission. It's particularly valuable if you need face-to-face support outside regular office hours.

How Do I Access Recovery Space?

There are two sites: a daytime drop-in at the Croydon Health & Wellbeing Space (1st Floor, Whitgift Centre, 1 North End, Croydon, CR0 1TY), and an out-of-hours crisis service at Fairfield House, 10 Altyre Road, East Croydon, CR0 5LA. You can call 020 8688 1210 (option 4). For the daytime drop-in you can just turn up; the out-of-hours crisis service is accessed by professional referral. The service is particularly valuable during evenings and weekends when other community support may be unavailable.

What Should I Expect?

When you arrive, you'll be welcomed by peer support workers who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. You can talk through what's happening, receive emotional support, and work together on coping strategies. If clinical support is needed, the team can help connect you with appropriate NHS services. There's no set time limit on visits - you can stay as long as you need to feel more stable.