Children’s mental health support extended
By Rebecca Poole
A support scheme for young people experiencing mental health issues and their families has been extended for another year.
The Twilight Café operates along similar lines to the Nightlight Cafes, which are held across the city to provide safe, welcoming spaces for people who are struggling.
The Twilight pilot was launched at the Bridge Church, Portland Street in October 2023 in partnership with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) to offer under 18s and their families a listening ear.
The project was developed by Acts Trust, following a gap identified in mental health services in Lincoln. The Twilight Café is accessed through referrals made by CAHMS and Healthy Minds and allows young people to socialise with each other and interact with trained youth workers.
During the sessions, accompanying parents and carers have a separate space to offload in an inclusive environment with other families.
“The peer support has been fantastic. A lot of families have told us they felt like they’re the only people who were going through that experience and to meet other families who are having similar experiences has really helped them,” said Stacey Marriott, Night Light Café Manager.
“We came to the end of the 18-month pilot in March and now we’ve got funding secured for another year which is brilliant.”
Unlike the offering for young people, Night Light Cafés are adults only and people are encouraged to turn up without a referral.
The scheme started in 2020 in response to the lack of evening support in mental health. There are currently nine cafés in Lincoln, with 16 others across the county (see the Health and Wellbeing Sector of the What’s On Guide)
Guests at the Night Light Cafés are invited to chat with a trained volunteer and sit and connect with other people to tackle loneliness. Cafés also provide crafts, games, quizzes and refreshments and all are welcome to attend.
Stacey added: “It’s a safe place and everybody’s just so nice. I love it. I recommend it 100%. In 2023 we had over 3,500 visitors to the cafés in Lincoln.
“Volunteers are at the heart of Night Light and the cafés wouldn’t exist without them. We are always looking for more volunteers to join the project.”
For more information or to volunteer, email
