Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA Visits The WELL-Bean Café in Newry

The WELL-Bean Café, a mental health initiative located on River Street in Newry, recently welcomed Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA to see the impact of the initiative. During his visit, Minister Nesbitt engaged with staff, volunteers, and clients to gain firsthand insight into the vital services provided by the café to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Established as Northern Ireland's first adult crisis café, The WELL-Bean Café, under the umbrella of PIPS Hope and Support operates in conjunction with Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department, NIAS, PSNI, GP Federation and PBNI. It offers a peaceful and welcoming environment, distinct from the clinical setting, for individuals experiencing crisis. The café serves as a haven, offering solace and assistance to prevent the escalation of mental health challenges. Supported by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the café operates during out-of-hours periods, ensuring accessibility for those in need beyond typical service times.

Minister Nesbitt's visit underscores the importance of community-based mental health services. Interacting with clients who have benefited from the café's support, he emphasised the NI Executive’s commitment to enhancing mental health resources across the region and was impressed by the impact of The WELL-Bean Café.

Seamus McCabe, CEO of PIPS Hope and Support, expressed his appreciation for the Minister's visit, stating, "The WELL-Bean Café has been recognised as a model of best practice in mental health crisis intervention. Minister Nesbitt’s visit not only emphasises the significance of this service but also reinforces the urgent need for continued investment in community-led mental health initiatives. His presence here demonstrates a deep understanding of the value of innovative, accessible support for those in need. We hope this visit inspires further support of our initiative, expansion and development of similar services across Northern Ireland."

The WELL-Bean Café operates during the following hours:

Mondays: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Fridays: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturdays: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturdays: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Individuals seeking support can drop in during these hours or contact The WELL-Bean Café at 028 3044 2326.

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