Towards: Pioneering new mental health therapy service to launch on Albion Place in Leeds with high street hub
A pioneering new therapy service is set to launch in Leeds, offering a thoughtful approach to mental health care - and aiming to change the way support is delivered across the UK.
Towards, which has now opened its first high street hub on Albion Place, has an ambitious plan: to deliver high-quality and accessible therapy through hand-picked practitioners.
The organisation was founded by leading figures in the mental health sector who believe the current system is failing to meet the needs of many people.
“There’s a significant issue in mental health: there aren’t enough therapists to go around, waiting lists are huge for children and adults, and the quality of provision varies significantly,” explained Sarah Bateup, the company’s Chief Clinical Officer, who has spent four decades working in mental health.
She was the first researcher to access verbatim transcripts from 1,000 psychological therapists - and her investigation revealed a startling truth.
“The research showed that a third of the therapists were not fit for purpose, despite the fact that they had been through rigorous training and had spent between five and 10 years in universities,” she explained.
“There is absolutely no correlation between high academic achievement and being a good therapist.”
As a result of that research, Towards has focused on recruiting and training people with innate therapeutic qualities - empathy, calmness, and the ability to reflect - through a practice-based programme in partnership with the University of Exeter.
Sarah continued: “Our trainees stay in the classroom for four months and then have to pass a practical assessment. Then, they undergo 240 hours of closely supervised practice.
“We want our therapists to be better. Why? Because they should be able to make a difference in people’s lives. That, at the end of the day, is what counts.”
Tim Rideout is the company’s Chief Executive Officer, whose background includes leadership roles in the NHS and private health sector.
He said: “We know that there is an unmet demand in mental health services for common disorders like anxiety and depression. That surged both during and after the pandemic, meaning that people are waiting a long time to get the treatment they need.”
Tim explained that Leeds was chosen as the site for the first hub because of its size and diverse population - as the team endeavour to make a clear statement about visibility and accessibility.
“Sadly, there is still a stigma associated with accessing mental health care,” he said. “That’s why we want our hubs to be front and centre on the high street. Having a visible base sends a really clear message about the importance of seeking support.”
The new hub on Albion Place, which is set across three floors, has been designed to feel warm, modern, and discreet. Sarah explained: “We wanted it to feel contemporary and welcoming.
“Our emphasis is on customer experience, because everyone that walks through our door is an important person to us.”
Tim added: “We’re delighted with the Albion Place site. We want people to feel really comfortable receiving their therapy there.”
The Leeds team includes a wide mix of experienced professionals, including therapists specialising in children and young people, adults, and niche clinical areas.
Ultimately, both Sarah and Tim said that the goal is to prove that high-quality care, delivered by carefully selected therapists in the right setting, will lead to significantly better outcomes for people struggling with their mental health.
“If we can prove that we are getting better therapeutic outcomes, it will represent a major contribution towards resolving the mental health crisis that is currently engulfing the UK,” explained Tim.
Towards is now open at 12A Albion Place, Leeds, LS1 6JS. Therapy is available both in-person and online, with the team aiming to keep services as affordable and accessible as possible. For more information, visit www.wearetowards.com