Gofal Cymru Community Crisis House, Wales
The Crisis House is just an ordinary, four-bedroomed house
National Lottery Good Causes Awards: Gofal Cymru Community Crisis House, Wales is one of 10 Lottery-funded projects in the Best Health Project category of this year's National Lottery Awards, in association with FemaleFirst.co.uk
Gofal Cymru's Community Crisis House is pioneering an alternative to hospital admission for people in mental health crisis. Funding from the Lottery contributed to the first three years of the centre's operation. Having proven its value in helping people with mental health problems get through their worst periods without entering hospital, it has now secured full funding from local health boards to continue its work when the Lottery grant ends.
The Crisis House is "just an ordinary, four-bedroomed house," says public affairs manager Alexandra McMillan. Individuals, referred by health services, have their own bedrooms and share a community living area and kitchen. Being in a comfortable, non-medical environment makes a big difference, Alexandra says, and nine out of ten people are able to avoid hospital admission and return home after just seven days.
Lottery funding helped buy soft furnishings and make the house feel as homely as possible. It also contributes towards the first three years of training and salaries for the staff who provide one-to-one support for residents. In addition to medical support from NHS staff, Crisis House staff try to help residents identify the factors that led to their crisis, which could include housing, employment, education, physical, emotional and social aspects of their lives. Advice on relevant issues, such as healthy eating or accessing social networks, is provided, and each resident leaves with a pack of information identifying useful services and other support options.
Support and information is also provided for family and friends, who say they much prefer the homely setting. Gofal Cymru is working to raise awareness among policy makers of the importance of community crisis prevention, and is hoping to pave the way for more Crisis Houses to open in Wales.
Dave, who has a long history of mental health problems, has benefited from the opportunity to improve his cooking skills, and has been encouraged by staff to join a part-time education course. This has given him a routine and regular social interaction, greatly improving his health and wellbeing.
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