Hertfordshire Complex Needs Service

We directly support individuals who live in Hertfordshire, are 18 years old + who have diagnosed or self-reporting mental health and wellbeing issues, and who are experiencing the following complex health and social issues:

• Tenancy issues
• Debt or Financial issues
• Addiction issues
• Physical health issues
• Mild Learning disability
• Domestic abuse
• Offending and anti-social behaviour

Our goal is to achieve positive outcomes in recovery, independence, and wellbeing through providing holistic, personalised and centred support. We support individuals to achieve a wide range of positive outcomes towards:

• Increasing independence
• Debt issues
• Preventing homelessness
•  Obtaining and sustaining tenancies
• Enhancing health and wellbeing
• Resolving benefits and welfare issues
• Improving community inclusion
• Signposting to other organisations
• Access to peer led group sessions and workshops

Our Peer Mentors engage, motivate, and inspire clients and act as positive role models. 

We provide an accredited Peer Mentoring training programme, where individuals who wish to make a difference and enhance their own recovery can build on existing talent and learn new skills.

We are offering a unique chance to gain an Open Award Level 2 Certificate in Peer Mentoring and once qualified; you will support our Herts based service users on 1:1 basis, weekly or fortnightly for up to six months.

For an inspirational story, listen to Tom.

Get in touch to become a Peer Mentor

We have successfully provided student placements since 2021 and work closely with the university to ensure students get what they need in terms of hands on experience to complement studies. 

Students who wish to have placement, will have to have a DBS certificate (this can be done by the university)

*Please note - we do not offer placement for students undertaking Counselling courses

Lisa's testimonial:

"My name is Lisa and I am currently completing some work experience at Herts CNS as part of my psychology undergraduate degree. The team are so supportive in enabling opportunities to gain invaluable experience across several types of service. I have had the pleasure of speaking to several service users already who are in need of help and support from the service, highlighting the importance of the work support workers do every day, making a difference and literally changing lives.

The opportunity to work alongside a great team of people, has especially sparked my interest for my future career options. I am so grateful that this service exists for so many people in need."

Get in touch for more information.

We have a number of unique and exciting roles at the service. Based on what opportunities you are looking for, we will look to find a role that’s suits you!

Jo’s story:

"My background is in retail and I worked as a buyer for 15 years for Mother care, Argos, Ocado and more! I then worked as a sales & marketing manager for various agencies working with local businesses and charities to raise their profile.  I decided to volunteer after “retiring” as I wanted to make a difference in my community.  I chose CNS because mental health is very close to my heart having had personal struggles and I feel the work here is really important.  Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose and is really fulfilling. My role here is to do Stage one Triage, setting up new referrals on the system, interviewing them and arranging an appointment with a senior support worker to assess their needs in more detail. Outside work I love to sing and act and I am in Rock Choir and The Harpenden Musical Theatre Company.  My passion is travel and I’ve been to 74 countries so far! My ambition is to visit 100 countries before I die."

John’ story:

"I started my career in the motor industry as a student apprentice and worked in industry for over 35 years in a variety of positions until taking voluntary redundancy from BT, where I had worked for nearly 20 years. Much of my career was working with computers and databases as an “intelligent user” and developing systems so they work from the user and management points of view.

After a 3 month break, I joined St. Elizabeth’s Centre in Much Had ham, helping to set up a social enterprise. The centre is a residential home for adults with intractable epilepsy and the objective was to provide real work experience in a safe environment for the residents by re-furbishing donated furniture. Bidding for grants from the learning and skills council, monitoring progress against targets provided much of the funding, the balance coming from sales of furniture. The challenge of working with adults, all of whom had learning difficulties provided a very different set of challenges but also a lot of job satisfaction. 

Later I moved to Herts Mind Network in Ware in an administrative role. In addition to general admin work, I was responsible for developing a database of client related records. . Over two years I suggested improvements, tested the software and trained staff to use it. I checked data integrity and supporting managers to realise the potential for the system. Once fully embedded into the organisation and felt I could not take it any further, I decided to retire form paid work but still wanted to do something to help people with mental health issues, so continued work as a volunteer with the Complex Needs Service. My role has developed from data entry to assisting the manager to provide statistics to show how the service is supporting its clients. 

I have been married to Margaret for almost 50 years and we have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. We have an active social life. I have been involved in amateur dramatics and singing most of my life and pantomimes are my favourite. I have played as part of a comedy duo and love being the pantomime dame. One day I hope to be the villain."

Get in touch if you would like to become a volunteer.

Urgent Support

If you are experiencing a crisis and need help now:

• If its an emergency, please call 999 or go to your nearest A & E.
• Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment.
• You can reach HPFT Single Point of Access (SPA) 24/7 by calling 0800 6444 101

Non-emergency

• Call NHS 111
• Samaritans – You can call any time of the day (24/7) from any phone for free. Call 116 123 or email [email protected] (response time: 24 hours).
• Shout – A free 24/7 text service. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
• Sane – Out of hours helpline 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm-10:30pm every day) 

Out of hours crisis services:

• You can reach HPFT Single Point of Access (SPA) 24/7 by calling 0800 6444 101 or call NHS 111 and select option 2 or Out of hours helpline (hpft.nhs.uk) 
• You can reach Nightlight Crisis Service on 01923 256391 or Nightlight Crisis Helpline | Hertfordshire  Mind Network (hertsmindnetwork.org)

For Mental Health support:

• Hertfordshire Mind Network can be accessed by calling 0203 737 3600 or access the               website Hertfordshire Mind Network (hertsmindnetwork.org)
• Mind in Mid Herts can be reached by calling 03303 208 100 or access the website Mind in Mid Herts – For better mental health

Addiction support services:

• The Living Room - 0300 365 0304 or The Living Room (livingroomherts.org)
• CGL - 0800 652 3169 or Spectrum Drug & Alcohol Recovery Services | Change Grow Live
• Resolve (Mid & North Herts) 01707 690739 / 01462 684978 or North Herts Drug & Alcohol Treatment - Resolve

 Other useful contacts:

• You can reach Herts Help by calling 0300 123 4044 or accessing the website HertsHelp.
• If you are experiencing Domestic Abuse; Contact Refuge – 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 or www.refuge.org.uk