Barnet Depression Alliance is probably the longest running and most successful mental health peer support group in Barnet. We are currently threatened by closure due to our funding being discontinued from April 2026. We feel we have a strong case to argue for our funding to be maintained so that we can continue to support Barnet residents who suffer from depression. Depression and anxiety are currently the number one issue cited by service users who are referred to Barnet’s social prescribing service. We believe we provide a valuable and unique service to mental health service users suffering from the most common mental health condition of all – clinical depression. Furthermore, being entirely volunteer led, we believe we offer excellent value for money. Indeed, we would argue that we provide a net financial benefit to the council in reducing members’ reliance on Barnet’s NHS mental health services and social services. The Case for Funding document below sets out the achievements of our group and the value it represents to the Barnet community.
We also append below the feedback from our Annual Group Survey last year on how the closure of the group would impact members personally. Finally, we attach copies of our request for support letters sent by email to our former funders, Barnet Council Adult Social Care; to the North London Partnership Mental Health Trust; and to our local MP. To date we have had no reply or even acknowledgment of these letters from the Council or the Mental Health Trust.
Barnet Depression Alliance: the case for funding
Members’ comments on the future of Barnet DA
Copy of email sent to Barnet Council /Adult Social Care
Copy of email sent to the North London Partnership Mental Health Trust
Barnet Depression Alliance 