Hartlepool renews digital peer support for residents after 12-month pilot success

We are thrilled to announce that all residents aged 16 and over living in Hartlepool now have access to a clinically moderated mental health support resource. Through a renewed collaboration between Togetherall and Hartlepool Borough Council, residents can engage with a global community of peers, giving and getting peer support in a safe and anonymous online environment, available 24/7/365.    

A historic town dating back to the 7th century, today Hartlepool is a community home to nearly 92,000 people. Hartlepool Borough Council commissioned a pilot of Togetherall’s anonymous peer support platform, an online mental health resource, and after a successful 12-month trial period, it has committed to a longer, two-year service delivery available to all of its residents aged 16 and over. 

One Hartlepool resident shared their experience on the platform saying:

“I think this is brilliant, using this system that as a whole person approach to give people support, accessing it when needed with the added safety of knowing that you would be helped if you were in crisis, and referred for support and help when needed.” 

Hartlepool Borough Council had previously trialled another online mental health support system, but it didn’t prove as successful. Togetherall’s digital peer support, backed with a unique blend of 24/7/365 access, around-the-clock clinical moderation from live mental health practitioners, immediate risk escalation, and crisis intervention, made for a self-sustaining service that stood out from the rest.  

During the pilot: 

• 92% of Hartlepool residents using Togetherall found the service to have a helpful or very helpful impact on their mental health 

• 67% of Hartlepool residents using Togetherall were not engaged in any other form of mental health support 

• There was a particular uptake in expression through art therapy on the platform  

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, said:

“We all have bad times when we struggle with the challenges of life and it has never been more important for us to maintain our mental health. Togetherall provides a supportive, anonymous and safe community which people can turn to for support, understanding and encouragement at any time and we are delighted to continue to provide access to it for Hartlepool residents in partnership with the Togetherall team.” 

 Togetherall CEO Matthew McEvoy shared,

“We are thrilled to be able to continue to support the residents of Hartlepool with digital peer support following the success of their 12-month pilot. Peer support is a critical component of the mental health support continuum, and especially important in reaching underserved populations and individuals who – for a variety of reasons – may not be comfortable reaching out to other forms of support. We look forward to providing mental health support for the residents of Hartlepool in the years to come.” 

Now committed for two years, we are excited to embark on a journey with Hartlepool Borough Council to provide its residents aged 16+ with 24/7/365 to digital peer support and safeguarding of round-the-clock clinical moderation. 

About Togetherall 

Established in 2007, Togetherall is available to more than 20 million individuals worldwide. Togetherall is the leading clinically managed, peer-to-peer, online support community where members can share what’s on their minds, anonymously, safely, and in-the-moment, 24/7/365. Members can connect through shared lived experiences with a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of real, live, licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. These clinicians empower individuals in peer support and foster and maintain a safe, vibrant environment. 

If you are interested in offering safe and scalable ways to support your people’s mental health, contact us to find out more about Togetherall’s online community.