Directors of community interest company Mosaic Mentality Oxfordshire had a brief run at providing mental health support in the county, having already suspended its session after launching in August.
Jacqui Vincent-Potter and Matthew Tanner founded the grassroots organisation, which invests any revenue back into the company in the interest of the community, to create a “safe and welcoming space” with workshops and wellbeing activities for people in Oxfordshire.
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The “pause” of its operations have been put down to “a combination of financial and systemic barriers that continue to undermine grassroots mental health provision”.
A file image of someone struggling with their mental health (Image: Radar AI) Ms Vincent-Potter and Mr Tanner expressed their concern over what they perceive as an “ongoing lack of funding and support” from the authorities for community-based services.
“The reality is that vulnerable members of our community are being left without the help they urgently need,” the co-founders said.
“We are seeing first-hand the consequences of people waiting too long for help, services being cut back, and volunteers being left to shoulder responsibilities they cannot sustain without proper investment.
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“Mental health should be treated with the same urgency as physical health, yet the system continues to let people down.
“We are devastated about having to suspend the group, and our vision.”
They added that national commitments to improve mental health provisions have not translated into “meaningful, local investment” and demand continues to rise while grassroots services cannot keep up.
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A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for allocating mental health funding in the county, said: “Oxfordshire County Council recognises the vital role that community-based organisations play in supporting residents’ mental health and wellbeing.
“While we have not previously funded Mosaic Mentality Oxfordshire directly, the funding previously provided to Mosaic Mentality was via the Mental Health Contract which is delivered by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which is jointly funded by the council and the ICB via an NHS contract.
A file image of someone struggling with their mental health (Image: PA) “Oxfordshire County Council also invests significantly in grassroots and community-based organisations through separate funding streams.
“One such stream is the Community Capacity Grants programme, which has allocated more than £773,000 for 2025/26 to support local groups helping residents live well and independently.
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“This includes the Connected Communities Fund, offering up to £5,000 for smaller organisations, and larger grants of up to £20,000 administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation.”
Mosaic Mentality met twice a week in Waitrose’s community room in Southam Road, Banbury, and were exploring options for a permanent home when they closed.
The founders added: “Without immediate action, the crisis in mental health support will only deepen, leaving more people isolated, at risk, and unsupported.”