The WAND Mental Health Helpline is based in Barnstaple and has been helping people in Devon with mental health issues, their carers, family & friends over the phone since 1999.

Who are we?

We offer a confidential service providing emotional support and listening through an evening helpline staffed by trained, caring volunteers. Our lines are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and are open outside normal office hours, 8pm until 11pm - when people need us the most.

The helpline is free and therefore ideal for anyone who is on a low income. WAND is a user led charity with 100% of the front line committee having experienced mental health issues themselves. Also the majority of our volunteers have had direct or indirect experience of mental health issues.

We are members of both the Mental Health Helplines Partnership and the Telephone Helplines Association.

WAND are actively involved with mental health service users and professionals to promote and aid recovery.

Our History

1994 The North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum was established by service users

1996 The forum split in 2 and Working Advocacy in North Devon (WAND) was founded as a                              user led organisation

1998 WAND received charitable status

1999 The Telephone Support Line was launched. It was open 2 evenings a week to North                                  Devon callers only

2000 The service was opened up to the whole of Devon

2003 WAND joined the Mental Health Helplines Partnership

2004 The Helpline was accredited with the Mental Health Helplines Partnership Quality                                      Standard - 6th in the country