A mental health app founded by former comedian Jake Mills has undergone a major redevelopment to better serve those in need of support, with the Hub of Hope becoming the UK’s largest service finder for mental health assistance. The app now lists over 14,500 services and continues to see increasing demand, with monthly visitors rising by 66% to an average of 25,700 in 2024.
The Hub of Hope was created by Mills, now CEO of the mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, following his personal experience with depression and a suicide attempt in 2013. Struggling to find support himself, Mills began collecting a list of mental health services and, from a humble spreadsheet, the Hub of Hope was born. Since its launch, the app has been used by over 800,000 people seeking mental health services, and its impact has expanded significantly.
The service was highlighted during the pandemic, included in a letter sent to 2.2 million people shielding due to health vulnerabilities, as a resource for mental health support. Described by NHS England as the “main national signposting tool,” the app has become an essential tool, helping guide individuals towards mental health services in their area.
In 2024, the Hub of Hope also launched its first physical location, “Hope in the Community Westminster,” a community-led, non-clinical mental health support service in partnership with Central and North West London NHS Trust. The new service aims to redefine approaches to mental health care by offering community-driven support.
With the increased demand for mental health services, which has been exacerbated by lengthy waiting lists and overburdened NHS services, the app’s redevelopment is crucial to ensuring that people can easily access the help they need. The updated infrastructure and new features, including enhanced user filters, are designed to make the process simpler and more inclusive. The app now includes age filters and services tailored to diverse groups, such as those with autism, ADHD, and those living with hearing or sight loss.
Mills expressed that the redevelopment was vital in response to the ever-growing need for accessible mental health support. “We want more people to be able to get help for their mental health issues before they reach crisis point,” he said, adding that the app’s new features would continue to bridge gaps in service provision and improve access to support.
As the demand for mental health services in the UK continues to rise, the Hub of Hope is stepping up to meet this need, with Mills confident that the app will continue to play a vital role in offering a lifeline to those struggling with mental health challenges. Despite financial challenges faced by many mental health services, the Hub of Hope’s continued success demonstrates the importance of accessible, community-driven resources for mental health support.