Mrs A is a lady in her 60s with a history of chronic psychosis with frequent relapses and placement breakdowns.  Whilst in the community her mental health often rapidly deteriorated following non-compliance with treatment and illicit substance use.  When unwell she presented with threatening and violent others, this often led to repeated admissions under the Mental Health Act.

Mrs A transferred to Billingham Grange Independent Hospital from an acute NHS mental health ward, her mental health had deteriorated and her previous community care home placement had ended her placement there as a result of risks to others.  On arrival at Billingham Grange, she presented as mildly unkempt, wearing inappropriate clothing, she refused to bathe and continued to show active signs of psychosis.

Mrs A has been hospital for 9 months and made significant progress, her mental state has stabilised following review and optimisation of medication and although she continued to show some symptoms of psychosis her overall level of functioning improved massively.  Within weeks her self-care improved and ward staff supported her to buy new and appropriate clothing.  She started to engage with local community activities and actively sought out new activities in the local community supported by the wards occupational therapy team.

Her mental health remains well controlled and she is compliant with treatment whilst at the same time remaining abstinent from illicit substances, discharge planning began on admission and Mrs A will shortly being transitional leave to a new care home service.

Alan is a 64 year old gentleman with a diagnosis of Vascular Dementia which was identified in 2013. Alan lived in his own home in the community with a support package. Alan unfortunately suffered from a TIA in 2020 which led to changes in his behaviours. Following this, due to challenging behaviours following his TIA he was admitted to an NHS ward detained under section 3 of the MHA 1983. Alan was transferred to Arbour Lodge In August 2020. Staff worked with him around his personal care intervention as this was a trigger for his challenging behaviours. Once these behaviours had become more manageable Alan stepped down to a community EMI nursing placement and his section was rescinded.

George is a 66 year old gentleman with a diagnosis of treatment resistant Paranoid Schizophrenia who was detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act. Prior to becoming unwell, George was in the Navy from the age of 16 leaving when he was 23 to look after his mother. George also had quite an extensive forensic history. George had a long history of admission to NHS psychiatric services and had resided at his previous NHS placement for eleven years. Following admission to Arbour Lodge staff worked with George to maximise his independence and work on areas such as community safety and medication compliance. George then stepped down from Arbour Lodge following a fourteen month admission to a community placement and his section of the Mental Health Act was rescinded on discharge.

Susan has been at Forest Hill for just over 2 years and suffered with social anxiety and low mood.  She barely left her room in the first few months of living here.  The staff worked hard to build a therapeutic, trusting relationship with Susan, aiming to help her to live a fulfilling life.  Susan aspired to be the person she once was: to be a participant in life, rather than a bystander.

Susan told staff that she really enjoyed flowers and gardens.  Speaking with her further Susan told us that her one wish would be to visit the Chelsea Flower Show in London.  Earlier this year two staff volunteered to take Susan to the Chelsea Flower Show.  They arranged train tickets, and a hotel overnight in order to make the time in London extra special – they even booked a table at a famous hotel for afternoon tea.

This time away had a hugely positive impact on Susan; before the trip she struggled with her social anxiety.  Whilst she still finds some situations difficult, Susan says that going to London really helped her.  She finds a great deal of reassurance in knowing that can manage a trip to the capital city – on that basis she feels she can manage almost anything!  

Susan has some lovely ideas about where she’d like to go next – it seems that the flower show has whetted her appetite for enjoying life and taking a creative approach to doing so once again.

Here at Forest Hill, we work creatively with the people that live with us to provide activities tailored to their individual needs.  We regularly have trips to the local bowling alley, shops and restaurants.  The people that live with us and their relatives are actively involved in planning activities that meet their needs. 

Zoe is a cheerful character for most of the time but she has an illness that affects her mood. As a consequence she can be very happy but distressed and tearful within minutes.

Zoe has lived at Briardene since 2015. She previously lived in other therapeutic environments where they sometimes found her care and wishes hard to accommodate. Zoe describes Briardene as being the place she calls home, and the place she wants to stay.

Zoe likes to go out, and has a busy schedule. She thoroughly enjoys visiting her family where she spends many an hour with her favourite nieces, with whom she has a special relationship. She recently attended a family wedding and there was great interest from all as to what she would wear. Colours, styles and makeup were all discussed at length. She looked beautiful on the day, and there were many comments and congratulations.

Zoe also goes to the local hospital, visiting patients who have the same illness as her. She receives visitors from there, too.

If there are planned events in the unit she takes an active part and has been known to be a vital participant in the pantomime. She loves to socialise, and will go out on organised trips, near or far. She enjoys the local pub, and will go for lunch, too. Coffee and cake are high on the agenda if she goes out, but she will take great delight in baking everyone a cake, as the picture shows.

Staff take great pride in supporting an engaged and enjoyable life for Zoe at Briardene, based on her previous interests and her current passions.

All visitors, whether human or animal are welcomed by Zoe.

Quote of the Day: Zoe says “I absolutely love it here, and my mum says I am spoilt.”