A New Chapter for Mental Health Support, Rutland County Library in Oakham to Host Weekly Café
Accessing mental health support in Rutland is about to become even easier. Starting this May, the county’s weekly Neighbourhood Mental Health Café will move to its new permanent home at Oakham Library, offering a central and welcoming space for residents in need of a listening ear.
The move marks a new partnership as the Rural Community Council (RCC), a charity with over a century of experience supporting local villages, takes over the running of the service.
Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés are designed as safe, non-judgmental drop-in centres. They offer a vital lifeline for those navigating mental health challenges, providing a space to talk in confidence without the need for a GP referral or a formal appointment.
The service is funded by local councils and the NHS, ensuring that the support remains free and accessible to all. Each session is staffed by trained professionals ready to provide both emotional comfort and practical advice.
The transition to the library aligns with Rutland County Council’s broader vision to transform local libraries into comprehensive wellbeing hubs.
"Rutland’s libraries have always been a source of information and resources to help people with their mental health," said Councillor Diane Ellison, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health. "We’re so pleased that Oakham Library will soon be hosting Rutland’s weekly Mental Health Café. It’s a fantastic service for anyone who needs a friendly face."
While the RCC takes over the Wednesday Café sessions, local charity Peppers – A Safe Place will continue its essential work, offering various other wellbeing and drop-in sessions in Oakham and Melton throughout the week.
To celebrate the launch, the RCC is bringing its popular Rural Coffee Connect van to the community. Residents are invited to stop by for a free hot drink and learn more about the new service before it officially moves indoors.
Where to find the Coffee Connect van:
Location: Tesco, Oakham
Dates: Wednesday, 22 April & Wednesday, 29 AprilTimes: 11:00am – 12:30pm and 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Key Information & Links
When: Every Wednesday (Starting May 2026)Where: Oakham Library, Catmos St, Oakham
Cost: Free (Drop-in, no appointment necessary)
Helpful Resources:
Mental Health Support: For a full list of cafés and services across Rutland and Leicestershire, visit theThe Rural Community Council: Learn more about the charity’s 100-year history of local support at
Peppers – A Safe Place: Find details on additional weekly drop-in sessions at
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