Residents in Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk, are facing changes to their mental health support following the sudden closure of Access Community Trust on 25 February 2026. The charity, which provided community wellbeing groups and cafe-based support, ceased trading immediately and entered administration. This move has left many people who rely on local services for ongoing care without their usual source of help.
The closure has resulted in the loss of STEAM House cafes and community outreach services that served the wider region. Approximately 96 staff members were made redundant when the organisation stopped its operations. These workers were reportedly informed of the news on their payday and told they would not receive their wages for the month of February.
Norfolk and Waveney Mind issued a response on 03 March 2026, describing the situation as distressing for the community. The charity, along with Healthwatch Norfolk, warned that the closure creates significant gaps in care for people who used the trust for counselling or group therapy.
The NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board is now working to find alternative support for those affected. In the meantime, people in Thorpe St Andrew are being redirected to the REST Hub in Norwich or the NHS 111 mental health help line. This service provides a way for residents to get immediate advice while new arrangements are being made.
Local GP practices, such as Thorpewood Medical Group and Dussindale Surgery, often refer patients to these types of community services for help that does not require a hospital visit. Anyone currently waiting for support or who previously used the trust’s services is encouraged to use the available NHS contact lines. The health board is treating the search for a new provider as an urgent priority.
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