Salisbury-based charity ALABARÉ is encouraging people facing mental health challenges this summer to make use of the free and confidential drop-in service at the city’s Riverside Sanctuary.
The summer months tend to be a crunch point for people’s mental wellbeing, with the Riverside Sanctuary seeing a spike in demand.
Hot weather and disrupted routines can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing – and can be the catalyst for many who are facing crisis.
ALABARÉ’s place of calm, located at the charity’s base on Watt Road, Churchfields, is available for visitors every evening between 4.00 and 11.00 pm, with no appointments needed.
Anyone in need of support to manage their mental health and wellbeing can speak to the team, most of whom have lived experience, to receive non-clinical but trauma-informed and person-centred advice.
The service is open to people aged 16 or over who are registered with a GP and/or live in Wiltshire, are willing to speak in a safe environment and are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Riverside Sanctuary team can also be signposted to other services as part of their recovery journey, such as the Access Community Mental Health Team, operated by ALABARÉ throughout Wiltshire.
Increases in required mental health support align with Wiltshire Police’s latest figures
ALABARÉ reports that it is seeing up to 15 people a day through the Summer – with only the weeks after Christmas seeing higher demand.
Wiltshire Police is also experiencing an increase in demand as the temperatures have been heating up, according to stats from the Chief Constable.
They’ve had a 9.1% rise in 999 calls during June compared to the same month in 2025, with a record number of emergency contacts on 27 June, with 578 calls made over 24 hours.
Working alongside emergency services
ALABARÉ is in regular contact with blue light services and Salisbury District Hospital to offer immediate mental health support to people they engage with.
The Riverside Sanctuary accepts referrals from police and ambulance crews and serves as an alternative to long waits in A&E to see a health professional.
People are welcome to bring friends or family along to the drop-in service, if that helps them feel more comfortable.
Filippo Fiori, Service Manager at the Riverside Sanctuary, said, “We completely understand that taking that first step towards recovery from mental ill health can be the hardest one, and the Riverside Sanctuary is set up to try and make that as calm, relaxed and easy as possible. There’s no obligation to unload all your concerns in your initial visit, but the team are on hand to listen and offer support when people need it.
“The summer can be a difficult time for some, and we’ve seen that having a cool and comfortable space for people to be themselves, speak to professionals with lived experience, and perhaps make new friends with other visitors, can have a big impact on wellbeing.”
The service has also set up sessions based on specific hobbies to provide visitors with activities to boost their mental health, such as cooking, creative writing, board games and crafting.
Where to find Riverside Sanctuary
The drop-in can be found at the rear of ALABARÉ’s base at 2 Watt Road, Churchfields, Salisbury, SP2 7UD.
The service also has a social media page at https://www.facebook.com/RiversideSanctuary, and you can email the team on riversidesanctuary@alabare.co.uk
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