0800 012 9082
Our telephone lines are open6:00pm - 11:00pm
7 days a week, 365 days a year
Sutton Crisis Café
Sutton Crisis Café is a non-judgemental service for people in mild to moderate mental health crisis, who just need a safe place to be and someone to listen.Sutton Crisis Cafe is a safe, welcoming space where you can talk and be heard without judgement.
Our support is non-clinical and based on peer support. The people you meet are trained to listen and support you, and many have their own lived experience. They are here to understand what you’re going through and support you in a way that feels respectful and human.
We know that a crisis can look and feel different for everyone. You might feel things are now becoming overwhelming, or you may have been struggling for a while. There is no set point at which you “qualify” for support.
We will work alongside you to help you cope with difficult feelings and explore ways to manage what you’re going through.
You can find about more about Sutton Crisis Café and how we can help by downloading our leaflet here, and by clicking through the information below.
In-Person Support (Every Evening)
We offer in-person support every evening from 6:30pm at the Crisis Café.
You can choose what feels right for you — there is no pressure to take part in anything you’re not comfortable with.
One-to-One Support
- 50-minute, face-to-face sessions with a member of the team
- Held at the Crisis Café
- You can book online here
Group Support (6:30pm – 9:00pm)
- Informal, peer-led conversation and social support
- A safe space to talk, listen, or just be around others
- No booking needed — you can call ahead or just turn up
Wind-Down Hour (9:00pm – 10:00pm)
- A calm, relaxed session to help you settle before the evening ends
- May include quiet activities, mindfulness, or gentle conversation
- Led by a member of the Crisis Café team
Telephone and Video Support
Available every evening from 6:00pm – 11:00pm
- Speak to someone for a quick chat, or
- Book a longer telephone or video appointment here
If we are busy, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Online Group Support
- Runs on Saturdays and Sundays, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
- A supportive online space to connect with others
Before joining, we’ll ask you to book a short onboarding appointment.
This helps us make sure:
- You can access the group easily
- The service feels right for you
for more information about the online group, click here
We are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
We want coming to the Crisis Café to feel as easy and welcoming as possible.
You do not need a referral, and you can come in whatever way works best for you.
If it helps, you can let us know you’re coming by calling 0800 012 9082, emailing crisiscafe@smhf.org.uk , or booking an appointment online.
You are also very welcome to just turn up between 6.30pm and 10.30pm – no booking needed.
Some people find it helpful to share a little information in advance, but this is completely optional. If you would like to, you can use one of our forms here:
Self-referral
If you need crisis support, please complete our self-referral form.
Referral form
Someone else, perhaps a GP or health professional, can refer you by using this referral form.
Carers page
If you care for someone who needs crisis support for their mental health please go to our dedicated carers page.
Sutton Crisis Café is one of five crisis cafés supporting people across South West London, including Sutton, Croydon, Merton, Richmond, Kingston and Wandsworth.
We are here to support adults (18+) who are struggling and need out-of-hours mental health support. If you feel you need help to manage your thoughts or feelings, you are welcome to come to us.
If you or someone you care about has seriously injured themselves, taken an overdose, or is not able to keep themselves or others safe, please call 999 or go to A&E.
Who can use this service
You can use our service if you are aged 18 or over and live in Sutton or one of the boroughs listed above.
If you do not live in South West London but need crisis support, you are welcome to visit us in the short term. We can also help you find support closer to where you live if needed.
About our service
We aim to support people who are experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis that can be managed in a safe, community setting.
There are some situations where we may not be the right service to meet your needs. This includes:
- People living with dementia
- Children and young people under 18
- Situations where someone may be at risk of harming others
In some cases, a different type of support may be safer or more appropriate, for example:
- If someone needs urgent medical care or hospital admission
- If someone may need support under the Mental Health Act
- If drug or alcohol use is the main concern
If this applies, we will always do our best to help you find the right support quickly.
If you are unsure whether this service is right for you, you are welcome to call us on 0800 012 9082, or come and speak to us.
We now offer an online support group, running on Saturdays and Sundays from 4–6pm.
This is a small, supportive group (up to 10 people), where you can connect with others and talk things through from home.
Who is it for?
Anyone can use this service, but it may be especially helpful if you:
- Are feeling overwhelmed but would benefit from group support
- Would find it easier to join online rather than in person
- Can’t visit the Café due to anxiety, caring responsibilities, or other commitments
How to access the service
To get started, email: crisiscafe@smhf.org.uk
We’ll arrange a short onboarding chat to:
- Help you get set up
- Check the group feels right for you
- Understand what support you’re looking for
If you’re new to the service, we’ll also collect some basic details to register you.
After that, you’ll be able to book onto sessions as needed.
How the group works
- Sessions run Saturdays and Sundays, 4–6pm
- You can join at any time during the session
- You don’t have to stay for the full two hours
- Groups are supported by two trained staff members
To take part, you’ll need:
- A phone, tablet or computer
- An internet connection
- Your camera on (to help everyone feel connected and safe)
If you book a place and can’t attend, please let us know so someone else can join.
A safe and supportive space
This is a welcoming, respectful space for everyone.
We’ll agree simple ground rules at the start of each session to help everyone feel comfortable and supported.
If someone becomes distressed
If someone becomes distressed during the session, a member of staff can support them one-to-one outside the main group and help them access the right support.
Q: Do I need to complete a self-referral form?
A: No. If you’re not able to complete a form, you can just call us on 0800 012 9082.
We will ask for some basic details, but most information can wait until you feel ready.
Q: Is there food and drink at the café?
A: We offer drinks such as tea, but we do not provide meals.
During our quieter hour (from 9pm), we also offer simple, calming activities like colouring and quiet games.
If you’re looking for activities such as yoga, art or gaming, these are available at our daytime service at Belmont Connect.
Q: Can I bring someone with me?
A: Yes, you are very welcome to bring someone for support.
They will need to be aged 18 or over.
It’s up to you how involved they are—we will follow your lead and only include them in conversations if you want us to.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: You are welcome to bring your dog.
We can have up to two dogs in the space at one time, so please call ahead to check.
We aim to make the space comfortable for everyone, so we may ask you to keep your dog close by and settled during your visit.
Q: Can I bring my children?
A: The Crisis Café is a space for adults aged 18 and over, so it is not suitable for children.
If attending in person is difficult, we offer telephone support appointments and an online support group (Saturdays and Sundays).
Q: Is the service wheelchair accessible?
A: Sutton Crisis Cafe has step-free / wheelchair access. If you have any access needs, please contact us.
If you don’t see your question here, or you’re unsure about anything, please feel free to call us — we’re happy to help.
Activities
While we are called a Crisis Café, we don't really offer food - although a cup of tea can be very helpful. And don't expect lots of activities - if you want yoga, art or mindfulness, we offer those in our daytime service at the Belmont Connect.We are aware some people are having issues with the referral forms, if you are having problems, please email us at crisiscafe@smhf.org.uk or give us a call on 0800 012 9082.