Local charity delivers life-saving mental health support, faces funding uncertainty as waiting lists grow
In Ballymena, a small crisis hub has become a lifeline for people facing mental health emergencies. Turning Point NI, established in 2015, provides free counselling, suicide prevention and addiction support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
But with demand rising and core funding due to expire, its future is far from secure.
A Lifeline in Crisis
Turning Point NI was founded within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area to provide immediate support for those in mental health crisis. It works with people struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, addiction, difficult relationship breakups and financial strain.
The charity offers drop-in services, one-to-one counselling and intervention from qualified staff and trained volunteers. Support is available from age 11 upwards and, crucially, is free of charge. There are no means tests or waiting weeks for an appointment — people in crisis are seen as quickly as possible.
By looking at the whole picture of an individual’s life, the charity can connect people with the most effective services. In one year alone, Turning Point NI delivered over 2,000 free counselling sessions through a mix of self-referrals and statutory referrals.
Unique in Ballymena
The service is unique in its region. No other project offers the same mix of immediate intervention, counselling and long-term support in Ballymena.
The charity’s Mill Street hub is staffed by a small team of counsellors and supported by trained volunteers. They work to reduce the intensity of suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviours while promoting resilience and positive mental wellbeing.
That unique role has led to high demand. Today, almost 90 people are on the waiting list for six- to eight-week programmes.
Partnership and Recognition
Turning Point NI’s contribution has been recognised by local businesses and community groups. In July 2023, natural gas supplier Firmus Energy named it as its Charity of the Year.
Lisa McCarthy, Firmus Energy’s Transportation Services and Business Planning Manager, praised its impact: “The life-changing work that Turning Point NI does – and the expert service it offers to those who need it most in the greater Ballymena area – cannot be overstated. However, without donations and appropriate levels of funding, this transformative and much-needed service would not be possible.”
Firmus staff organised events from bake sales to a Giant’s Causeway coastal walk to raise funds. Their efforts generated over £13,000 in 2024, supporting Turning Point’s counselling and outreach services.
For the charity, the partnership also boosted awareness. Director Trudi Power said, “We’re delighted that Firmus Energy has chosen Turning Point NI as their Charity of the Year. Not only will this provide fantastic fundraising opportunities, but it will give us the opportunity to raise awareness of our much-needed service across Northern Ireland.”
She pointed to the scale of the challenge: “Recent statistics show that the prevalence of mental health affects one in five people – a rate that is 25 per cent higher than England. Our service provides immediate crisis intervention for those who are having thoughts of suicide, as well as providing a mental health hub for those who are experiencing any form of ill mental health through our counselling service.”
Political Spotlight
Turning Point NI’s importance has also reached the Northern Ireland Assembly. In October 2024, MLA Timothy Gaston praised its “vital work” and highlighted the pressure it faces as National Lottery funding is set to expire in March 2025. He noted that its counselling services saved the local Trust around £70,000 in the previous year, yet the charity received no government funding.
Earlier this year, MLA Colin Crawford and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited the Ballymena hub. They praised the service but warned of financial strain unless sustainable support is secured.
The funding cliff
The charity was able to expand in 2022 with a three-year National Lottery award, but that support will soon end. Without new funding, Turning Point NI risks being forced to scale back just as demand surges.
For now, its mission remains unchanged: to ensure that every individual in crisis has access to the support they need. But as waiting lists grow and financial uncertainty deepens, the future of Ballymena’s only dedicated mental health crisis hub hangs in the balance.
