Project Co-ordinator: Diane Flower
Operations and Development Manager: Sarah Colyer
Our partners running this service: Bexley Social Services and Primary Care Trust.
About the service
The project helps people who have a mental health diagnosis, and are willing to engage in a programme designed to enable them to move on to independent living. Referrals to the service are made via care co-ordinators. The service aims to be user-led and to provide informed choice to clients wherever possible. Staff encourage the empowerment of people using the facilities.
History
Together has managed the building since the 1990s. In 2004 we won a tender for a further 10 years.
Location
Chapel Hill is at the top of a hill in Crayford, Kent. It has good transport links to neighbouring towns. The project is about four miles from the Dartford Tunnel, and central London is 45 minutes away by train. The train station is 10 minutes’ walk away and there are rail links to the coast.
Local amenities include a cinema, bowling alley, library and hospital. There are supermarkets nearby, and Bluewater shopping centre is a 15-minute bus ride away.
Service user profile
Clients are men and women who range in age from 18 to 65.
Number of residents
17 permanent beds, plus four crisis and respite beds, totalling 21. Also, we offer support in three properties in the community with a total of eight beds.
Average length of stay
Average stay is 18 months but we work in an individual way and some people need more time. This is always negotiated on an individual basis and upon need.
The 4 crisis/respite beds are for an average stay of one to two weeks.
Staff and facilities
1 project co ordinator 15 full time ,2 part time both care workers and 2 part time ancillary Staff work with Social Services, psychologists and alternative therapists. They also consult day services, local colleges, professionals and carers to provide individualised care where necessary.
Activities and support on offer
Staff at the service encourage people to access external facilities and agencies wherever possible, in preparation for moving on to the community. We offer social events such as karaoke, an art group, group outings, and personal development and self-help strategies such as meditation. The aim is to meet the needs of the group and individuals wherever possible.
Training
Staff point people in the direction of individualised skills training that will be useful, and offer access to useful information and local adult education opportunities.
Useful organisations
There is the opportunity to consult the employment co-ordinator at the Erith Community Mental Health Centre. And there are two Community Mental Health Centres, one based in Bexleyheath and the other in Erith
Residential information
There are three main houses, each with two floors. Hill Top View has four beds for crisis and planned respite needs (one is on the ground floor, and three have en suite facilities). The rest of the project has 17 beds including 1 self contained bedsit. All but one of these rooms has en suite. 4 rooms are ground floor.
Communal areas
All areas have lounges, kitchens, upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, and shower facilities.
A secluded garden and patio area are available, with a sloping grassed area. Please note that Chapel Hill is a non smoking home.
24-hour support
One waking night worker and one sleep-in staff worker are on duty during the night.
Catering and laundry
A cook works Tuesday to Friday providing the main evening meal. Service users self cater for breakfasts lunch & Sat/Sun/Mon. We work towards full self catering on a needs led basis, and staff build towards people being empowered to do this.
The laundry room has two washing machines, two tumble driers and a sink. Most kitchens have washing machines and some have tumble driers.
More information
To find out more about the Service, please contact them direct.