18/05/2026
We’re proud to share that the Rough Sleepers Mental Health Service (RSMHS) has recently been showcased at a major national conference, highlighting the growing importance of psychologically informed and relational approaches to supporting people experiencing rough sleeping.
Based in Leeds, RSMHS works with adults who are sleeping rough, or at serious risk of doing so, and who often face significant barriers accessing traditional mental health services. Many people supported by the service have complex needs and have found it difficult to engage with other services in the past.
The team’s work is grounded in trauma‑informed practice, recognising that trust, safety and stability must often be built before formal assessments or therapy can begin. Alongside frontline clinical work, RSMHS also offers guidance, consultation and reflective practice to partner organisations across the city, helping strengthen joined‑up, compassionate responses to rough sleeping.
This approach was shared at the Pathways from Homelessness Conference in London earlier this year. Emma Marsh, Clinical Team Manager, and Oliver Baron, Community Support Worker, delivered a well‑received presentation titled Enhancing Wellbeing to Enhance Support, which explored how staff wellbeing directly impacts the quality of care and support people receive. Their session sparked lots of interest and discussion during the conference.
Closer to home, the service continues to grow strengthening referral pathways, working more closely with street support teams, embedding Psychologically Informed Environment principles, and expanding support to partner agencies. A consultant psychiatrist has also joined the team, with work underway to develop a medication pathway and continue reaching people who are often described as “hard to engage”.
RSMHS is also leading the mental health element of the My Gaff Leeds project, a three‑year initiative supporting some of the city’s most entrenched rough sleepers.
Huge well done to the RSMHS team for their dedication, compassion and outstanding work so far making a real difference for some of the most vulnerable people in our city.
