Children’s mental health support services move into Croft Shifa Health Centre

Thursday, 21 August 2025 12:48

By David Murphy

Three NHS teams working with children and families in Rochdale have a new home, offering improved facilities without disrupting existing services.

Three children’s mental health services supporting families across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale have moved into Croft Shifa Health Centre on Belfield Road.

The services – #Thrive, the Parent Infant Mental Health Service, and the Young People’s Mental Health Support Team, are all operated by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. They were previously based at Argyle Parade in Heywood but will now be housed on the first floor of Croft Shifa, just over a mile from Rochdale town centre.

Contact details, referral routes and staff remain unchanged.

The #Thrive service helps young people up to age 19 with everyday emotional health challenges such as stress, low mood or anxiety. A summer drop-in continues every Tuesday and Thursday and will be running at Croft Shifa from 19 August.

Meanwhile, the Parent Infant Mental Health Service offers specialist support to help parents and carers bond with babies up to two years old. This includes attachment guidance and early relationship support.

The Young People’s Mental Health Support Team works directly with schools and colleges across the borough, providing early help for mental health, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The move does not affect Rochdale’s core Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which remain at Birch Hill Hospital.

Lisa Slater, service lead for early years and early help at Pennine Care, said the relocation was a positive step:

“The new location offers improved facilities while maintaining service quality, with the same staffing as before.

“Early support can make all the difference in a child’s life. Our services can help them to manage challenges like anxiety, low mood, and emotional distress before they escalate.

“Please reach out, or encourage your child to, if they are struggling, either directly or through their school’s mental health champion.”

Families with upcoming appointments or on waiting lists have already been contacted and do not need to take any further action.

Croft Shifa Health Centre is accessible by foot or via the 434 bus, with on-site parking available. The address is:
The Croft Shifa Health Centre, Belfield Road, Rochdale OL16 2UP.