A new start for mental health rehabilitation in Bristol

Bristol’s new Community Rehabilitation Service opened its doors earlier this month and to celebrate the first people moving in, staff and clients tidied the garden, planted lavender and rosemary herbs and held a barbecue.

Chris Kinston, the service manager, said: “The sun shone throughout the afternoon and we had a great time with everyone getting involved in making the garden look more spring-like. “

The new service, which is part of Bristol Mental Health, provides a high level of support for people who need skilled rehabilitation expertise as part of their recovery. The ten-bed accommodation hub of the service is based in Wellbridge House in Brentry, north Bristol.

The focus of the service is help people gain the skills and confidence to live as independently as possible in the community. This is done by providing specialist assessment, treatment and interventions. The service takes a co-production approach; with people who use the service and their carers helping to shape the service at every step. All the service’s work takes place in the community focusing on reconnecting people back into their communities.

One of the residents said he was settling in well at Wellbridge. “We all have our own rooms with ensuite bathrooms. We like it here, we have freedom to do what we want. The staff help us when we want help. I hope to be able to learn to be more independent and leave to go to my own place.”

For more information about the new service, which is run by mental health charity Second Step in partnership with the Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership Trust (AWP) and the women’s mental health organisation Missing Link, please go to www.bristolmentalhealth.org