Our Inclusive Crisis Alternative project has been working hard gathering insights into how we can improve crisis alternative provision for people who are neurodivergent and/or have a learning difficulty. We are excited to share the project’s process and findings so far!

This piece of research by Touchstone, a VCSE mental health charity in West Yorkshire, has been commissioned by NHSE (North East and Yorkshire), and is being led by Tracey Hemmerdinger, Crisis Workforce Development Lead. It is looking at crisis alternative provision for all ages and across the whole of the North East and Yorkshire region. As of November 2025, we have published our findings so far in a handy flipbook. Click the picture below to be taken to the flipbook. A more detailed report of findings is in process and will be published in March 2026.

November 2025 Report Update

Please click on the image above to be taken to the full report in flipbook style.

Summary of Insights

Our research so far has indicated that: 

  • Crisis is different for each individual person
  • Not all Crisis Alternative provisions have the same thresholds which can cause confusion.
  • Eurocentric language around mental health and crisis can alienate some groups or communities

We have also gathered lots of specific insights on supporting neurodivergent people and people with learning difficulties in crisis alternative services. Please read the full report for a full breakdown of these.

Where Do Our Findings Come From?

Our findings so far were collated via a range of questionnaires, focus groups, and conversations. This includes questionnaire results from: 101 neurodivergent adults; 67 neurodivergent CYP; 41 parents and carers; 63 crisis alternative staff.

As well as focus groups with: 59 (potential) service users; 15 stakeholders; 63 crisis alternative staff.

Planned Next Steps

For the next part of the project, we plan to engage Experts by Experience in:

  • Creating a resource pack to be given to all commissioned services as part of the commissioning process.
  • Recommending training content
  • Pilot training with Touchstone staff
  • Recommending to NHSE how to ensure all communities can access these resources.

We will also be working on coproducing resources and training. Training will be:

  • Co-produced and delivered with Experts by Experience
  • Trialled with Touchstone’s crisis alternative staff
  • Include tools from the pack
  • Funded as part of the commissioning process

For more information about the research, please read the full report. If you have questions or would like to comment on this document, please contact Tracey Hemmerdinger at traceyh@touchstonesupport.org.uk.