Who We Are

Number 11 exists because too many people experiencing mental health challenges struggle to access the right support at the right time. We recognised a gap between basic wellbeing services and specialist mental health provision, leaving many people without the consistent support needed to achieve lasting change.

We believe poor mental health is often linked to a range of factors, including isolation, trauma, grief, low confidence and difficult life circumstances. Rather than focusing on a single issue, we take a whole-person approach that recognises each individual's needs, strengths and goals.

Our role is to provide long-term, relationship-based support in a safe and welcoming environment where people can build confidence, develop resilience, form meaningful connections and become more involved in their community. We are particularly committed to supporting those who may be too anxious or isolated to access other opportunities, helping them move forward at a pace that works for them.

Number 11 exists to ensure people do not face complex challenges alone and have the opportunity to live well with greater hope, purpose and connection.

When clients begin their journey with Number 11, they commit to attending two four-hour days at our centre each week. During their first 12 months, clients take part in our structured programme, which includes wellbeing workshops, afternoon activities, counselling and one-to-one support sessions.

After 12 months, clients progress into a different stage of support. They continue attending two days a week, with one day focused on group discussions and the other providing a more relaxed community environment. At this stage, support needs often begin to reduce as clients develop confidence, resilience and greater independence. The relaxed day includes tea and toast, with clients taking ownership of what activities they would like to do.

At Number 11, we take a person-centred approach. Trust is built through everyday connections with staff, volunteers and each other, including through sharing meals, playing games, taking part in activities and spending time together. These relationships create a safe and welcoming environment where people feel valued and confident enough to access support.

We take a long-term approach, recognising that meaningful change takes time. This allows us to move beyond crisis support and help people achieve sustainable improvements in their wellbeing, independence and quality of life.

Our clients are adults, each with their own unique story and circumstances. Many are living with complex anxiety and depression, and challenges such as poor mental health, isolation, grief or trauma. While these issues vary from person to person, they often leave people unsure where to turn for support. People access our service either by referring themselves or through trusted partner organisations, including the NHS, social services and other local services.

Many of our clients are living with challenges that are not immediately visible. They are often managing difficult situations behind closed doors, unsure where to turn for help or how to move forward.

To find out more about us, our clients and our work please see our Annual Impact Report 25–26.

Every year, lifelong friends James and Tom visited a Christian conference in Scarborough as part of the team that makes the event happen. In April 2016, James and Tom were sharing a room together and one of their conversations, extending late into the night, got onto the topic of the God-given calling to help those in need. Both shared visions of being able to serve the community in a new and better way — providing high quality support with relationships at the core, not just putting a plaster over the problem, but instead addressing the root causes of issues to bring about sustainable change. The idea behind Number 11 was born.

Five months later (September 2016), James decided to take a year out from his medical studies to focus on getting Number 11 off the ground. He talked and talked until most people became sick of listening, but the following months of conversations with friends, families, charities, councils, members of the community, churches, builders, funders and more helped turn an idea into something that could become a reality.

Swan Bank Church agreed to provide a building to host the project and more and more people were getting on board. Number 11 grew from an idea, sparked by conversations in a run-down McDonald's and shabby Scarborough hotel room, into a movement of people desperate to bring hope and restoration to their community. There was just one problem… a £350,000 shortfall.

If there's ever a story to show the power of following a God-given vision, this is it. Funding applications were rejected or delayed, problems were cropping up left, right and centre and at times it seemed Number 11 was destined to be nothing more than an idea after all. After members of the community, businesses, local churches and The Methodist Church chose to stand with Number 11, the funding total stood at just over the target of £350,000.

James kept talking until more people started coming on board. In early 2018, a management group was formed. From this point on Number 11 grew and developed, learning more about our community and what support best helped people live well.