Catalyst launches West Midlands-wide Support-Connect helpline
Site Admin • 21 December 2020
source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
published: 21 December 2020
This service is discontinued until further notice!
Catalyst 4 Change (in partnership with four West Midlands African & Caribbean mental health service providers), has launched the SUPPORT-CONNECT helpline service on 21 December 2020. This new regional initiative is funded by the Coronavirus Community Support Fund (distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund), and also by The Heart of England Community Foundation.
SUPPORT-CONNECT
is a new freephone helpline service available to African and Caribbean people with mental health support needs living in any of the areas listed below, across the West Midlands area. Download Leaflet.
The service has been developed to offer support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calls to the helplines are completely free of charge. SUPPORT-CONNECT treats all calls confidentially.
You can also visit our online directory & forum that will offer you information about local services and support. www.catalyst4change.org.uk/support-connect
If you need to talk, call the number that covers the area where you live.
| Area / Region | Call FREE | Lines Open |
|---|---|---|
| WOLVERHAMPTON | 0800 118 4057 | This helpline number will be open: Friday’s - 6.00pm to 9.00pm, Saturday’s - 3.00pm to 6.00pm and Sunday’s - 3.00pm to 6.00pm |
| SANDWELL-BIRMINGHAM (North) | 0800 118 4058 | This helpline number will be open: Wednesday's - 3.00pm to 5.00pm and Thursday's - 3.00pm to 5.00pm |
| COVENTRY | 0800 118 4059 | This helpline number will be open: Friday's - 1.00pm to 3.00pm |
SUPPORT-CONNECT is a partnership between Catalyst 4 Change, the African Caribbean Community Initiative; CommonUnity; Sandwell African & Caribbean Mental Health Foundation and the Tamarind Centre.
The SUPPORT-CONNECT service will be in place for at least 12 months (from December 2020), but all of the partners are committed to work together to secure further funding so that this helpline service can be provided indefinitely.
Catalyst is a registered member of The Helplines Partnership
We are pleased to announce the return of the popular Mentoring & Advocacy Support Hub (MASH) Meet & Eat sessions starting in July 2026. The first eat-out took place in November 2017.
The Pathway to Independence programme was launched in October 2024, led by Catalyst 4 Change on behalf of Birmingham Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT).
The National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund worked in close partnership with INQUEST and the Family Reference Group to host the Shine The Light event in Birmingham on 31 January 2026.
CHERP is a partnership between academia, community researchers, and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector that enables communities to shape research and drive change.
