Success of Gofal Crisis House speaks for itself
Hospital is sometimes not the most suitable place for people recovering from a severe mental health problem. So one Welsh charity created a Crisis House to offer a place of solace for patients...
IT’S a place which offers a warm and friendly atmosphere and support around the clock. The Crisis House, run by Gofal in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, aims to help those who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
The Cardiff centre has been described as “the jewel in the crown of mental health care”, and demonstrates how effective it can be to give people time to talk and listen in a safe, calm environment.
It has been very successful in what staff have termed the microwave effect, which describes the rapid recovery people experience from mental ill-health. The peaceful surroundings and quick access to support have transformed the wellbeing of some of its guests.
Joanne Blunt, who works as a project coordinator at the house, said: “It’s a place where people can take a step back from the pressures of life.
“It offers a calm, safe environment where there is always someone to talk to, someone who has time to listen.” As staff are always available to give support or just for a chat, it can break down barriers, which can have a huge effect on improving people’s mental health.
Sam Bright works at the house as a caseworker, and said: “We see the natural reflection of the person because we spend all day with them.
“For example, we watch telly together, if they wake up in the night and get a drink of water, we’re there if they want to have a chat.
“It’s in this type of environment people can get to know one another and relax and open up.”
People can be referred to the Crisis House from home or from a hospital, with the average length of stay currently standing at seven days.
It has been described as a “stepping stone” between the clinical environment of a hospital and the realities of home.
Gofal staff work with residents to focus on what outcomes they want to achieve when they leave, looking at practical needs such as housing. People leave when they are ready with a support network around them.
A 25-year-old man recently stayed at the house. He had a chaotic family background and had been diagnosed with ADHD.
He had been living in supported accommodation in hostels where staff had found his behaviour difficult to handle.
The high staff-to-resident ratio in the Crisis House meant people were able to connect with him more effectively and speak and listen to him as a person.
He said he had never had this level of support, and it allowed him to feel calmer.
He had never previously been stable enough to be considered for housing, but the Crisis House team worked with him to apply, and he’s now successfully got through the applications to be able to get his own home.
He sent a thank-you card to the house after he left, and told the staff: “I never knew there were people in the world like you, people who cared.”
Another woman came to stay at Crisis House who had suffered abuse in her childhood, experienced substance misuse and regularly felt suicidal.
People had moved into her home and were using her premises to sell drugs, and she felt she had no control over her life.
Spending time at Crisis House proved to be an important part of her recovery. She is now in a new home and volunteers for Gofal to increase her life skills.
She told staff that she was at a point in her life where she felt there was nothing left and they turned it around for her.
Joanne and Sam said that they have numerous thank-you cards from people who have stayed, saying that they don’t think they would have coped without their stay there.
■ To find out about Gofal and how you can support its work please go to www.gofal.org. uk