To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing in my capacity as Mental Health and Learning Disability Lead at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) to recommend Emerge Advocacy without reservation. Emerge Advocacy provides an outstanding service to children, young people, and young adults aged 10 to 25 who present to our Emergency Departments and inpatient services in a mental health crisis at both Wexham Park Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital. Their contribution to the wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable patients has been both significant and enduring with positive feedback from the young people.
The young people supported by Emerge Advocacy arrive at our hospitals at moments of profound distress. Many are experiencing acute mental health crises, self-harm episodes, or suicidal ideation. For this cohort, particularly those from marginalised communities, those with complex trauma histories, or those without robust family support, an independent, non-clinical advocate can make a decisive difference. Emerge Advocacy fulfils this role with skill, compassion, and professionalism.
The advocates from Emerge are consistently described by clinical teams as approachable, knowledgeable, and effective. Their ability to build rapid therapeutic rapport with young people who are often frightened or disengaged from services is a particular strength that our staff deeply value. At a system level, the involvement of Emerge Advocacy actively supports FHFT’s compliance with NHS England’s Core24 standards and the NHS Long Term Plan commitments on children and young people’s mental health. Their presence reduces distress, supports meaningful consent and capacity processes, and contributes to safer and more equitable discharge planning.
Of particular significance is the role Emerge Advocacy has developed in providing follow-up support to young people after discharge from our Emergency Departments and inpatient wards. It is well documented that young people who present in mental health crisis frequently face extended waits following referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This period, often weeks or months, represents a window of considerable clinical and safeguarding risk, during which young people may have no structured professional contact. Emerge Advocacy has stepped into this gap with proactive, relationship-based follow-up that bridges the transition from acute hospital care to community mental health support. Their advocates maintain contact with young people during this vulnerable interval, providing continuity, emotional containment, and practical navigation of systems that can otherwise feel inaccessible or overwhelming. This post-discharge function is not duplicative of clinical care, it is complementary to it, and in many cases, it is the only consistent supportive relationship a young person has whilst awaiting their CAMHS appointment. The clinical and safeguarding value of this work cannot be overstated.
I commend Emerge Advocacy to any commissioning body, funding panel, or partner organisation considering their work. Their service is not only valued by young people and their families, but also by the NHS staff who work alongside them every day. I would be very happy to discuss the Trust’s experience of working with Emerge Advocacy further.
Yours sincerely,[Mental Health Lead]
