A new mental health and wellbeing hub in Banbury has opened its doors thanks to footballing hero Martin Keown.
The former Arsenal and England player pulled back the curtain to officially open the service in Castle Quay on Thursday (July 20).
Mr Keown said: “We’ve got to be honest with ourselves, right now people have various issues. Just a word here and there can help people.
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“You can go here, its aligned with your GP. It is an NHS initiative and it's less formal.
“I think this will bring a lot of people through the doors.
“In football, mental health is something we train for.
“We have psychologists now that look at key things in your game and your make-up. I think local people should come in and make that first step.”
Guest at the event included MP Victoria Prentis, Banbury mayor Fiaz Ahmed and vice-chairman of Cherwell District Council, Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke.
Members of the public were also able to pop in to find out more.
The hub will be home to a Primary Care Mental Health Team and will include professionals from the NHS, the third sector and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves.
The Banbury hub has been developed with adults who use mental health services in Banbury after they said they would like to see more specialist care available at a local level.
Dr David Chapman, clinical mental health lead for the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board said: “Our priority is to help people with serious and complex mental health illness lead better lives with the support they need.
“Keystone hubs will help these patients by providing them with access to a team of dedicated mental health professionals in their communities across Oxfordshire.
“This new NHS service will also enable GPs to work very closely with health staff in the hubs to ensure their patients receive care and treatment closer to their homes making it easier to get the support they require.”
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Councillor Phil Chapman, Cherwell District Council’s portfolio holder for healthy and safe communities, added: “This new Keystone hub is a great addition to Castle Quay and Banbury town centre.
“Mental health is a key component of people’s wellbeing, and thankfully the recognition that it is okay to seek help when it’s necessary is becoming increasingly widespread.
“Access to this support in a central and convenient location can only be a good thing for the wellbeing of our residents and communities.”
The hub will be open every weekday from 10am until 2pm for people to pop in and from 9am to 5pm for booked appointments.
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