Middlesbrough Council expands mental health care with digital peer-to-peer support community
October 31 2025
Togetherall is thrilled to announce our partnership with Middlesbrough Council, an important new step for the Council in strengthening local mental health and wellbeing support for residents. Starting 1 November, a new partnership with Togetherall, the leading clinically moderated peer-to-peer platform, will provide free and anonymous online community support for everyone aged 16 and over who lives in Middlesbrough.
With a population of 156,000 residents, Middlesbrough is the most densely populated local authority in the northeast and has one of the youngest populations in the region. It is also the most ethnically diverse area in the Tees Valley, home to a wide range of communities with differing needs and experiences. Their new partnership with Togetherall aims to expand access to mental health support for groups who may not seek help through traditional pathways, including those from minority ethnic backgrounds and residents not currently connected to existing mental health provision.
Togetherall offers a clinically moderated, anonymous peer-support platform available online 24/7/365, giving members a safe digital space to connect with others, share experiences, and build emotional resilience. The platform complements Middlesbrough’s ongoing suicide prevention and mental health strategies, offering an innovative way to reach people outside of standard service hours and expanding options for those seeking help with mental health concerns.
Councillor Julia Rostron, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said the collaboration underscores the Council’s ongoing commitment to support people’s wellbeing through a range of approaches:
“Our partnership with Togetherall will mean more people can start the process of accessing help, whatever’s on their mind,” said Cllr Rostron. “This is another method for us to provide support to different groups of people and will complement the work Council teams do in partnership with the NHS and other organisations.”
The launch follows similar initiatives in neighbouring authorities, which have seen strong engagement and improved access to mental health support for residents who might otherwise not have reached out. Middlesbrough’s service will form part of a growing ecosystem of community-based and digital supports across the Tees Valley, ensuring that anyone who needs help can find it in a way that works for them.
By expanding out-of-hours access and offering a trusted online environment for open discussion, the Council and its partners are taking meaningful action to promote mental wellbeing and prevent mental health crises before they escalate.
Togetherall CEO, Matthew McEvoy, shared:
“We’re thrilled to partner with Middlesbrough Council to help bring free, 24/7 mental health support to local residents. This collaboration ensures that everyone ages 16+ in Middlesbrough – no matter where they live – can access a safe, anonymous space to share how they’re feeling and connect with others who understand. Togetherall’s digital community bridges geographic gaps, especially in more rural parts of the region, by offering in-the-moment support that’s always within reach. We’re proud to play a part in expanding access and strengthening mental wellbeing across the community.”
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-to-peer support and foster and maintain a safe, vibrant environment.
Togetherall is now aligned with the UK’s updated MHRA guidance for digital mental health technologies, under the Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) framework.
This alignment reflects the standards we have always upheld – including strong clinical governance, 24/7 moderation, and transparent risk oversight – now formally mapped to the MHRA’s evolving expectations for digital platforms that support mental health.
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.
