Mental Health Support at Newby House
A supported home for people with mental health needs
Newby House is a mental health re-enablement service in Halewood, Liverpool. It provides a supported home to adults with mental health needs and guides them towards independence when they’re ready.
The service supports up to 12 residents and is a fantastic stepping stone for many, giving them the confidence to move forward.
In this article, our Specialist Services team explain how Newby House works and the benefits it offers our tenants.
Knowsley Council’s commissioning team calls weekly to ask if we have any vacancies. If there is a vacancy, a social worker contacts the service to ask us to make a referral assessment for a possible new tenant.
Once we accept their referral, we invite the potential tenants to spend a couple of weeks at the service before their move-in date. This allows them to get to know the staff and other tenants, making the transition more manageable and helping them settle into their new environment.
Our staff are committed to reassuring and supporting tenants, making them feel secure and welcome. We invest the first two weeks in getting to know them and understanding how best to assist them during challenging times.
Newby House offers a range of activities within the service and the local community to support tenants with their issues. These activities include cooking classes, group walks, board games, bingo, and others that promote social interaction and mental well-being.
We also support tenants’ engagement with New Hutte in Knowsley, a neighbourhood centre that offers various activities, including volunteering in the cafe. These activities help tenants learn new skills, socialise and enjoy experiences that improve their mental health while providing a supportive community outside Newby House.
Our support helps people safely manage their daily tasks, such as home cooking. After around four weeks, we help tenants make phone appointments and offer them basic IT training. These skills enable them to use online services like email, shopping and banking to help with communication and budgeting skills.
Most tenants like staff to spend more time talking to them when their mental health is declining to take their minds off overthinking. Time together can include our staff going on long walks with our tenants to help them through any downturn
If tenants are struggling with drug or alcohol use disorder, we can refer them to additional services at YMCA Together. Then, if they agree to get help, tenants can return to Newby House to work towards being able to live independently in the community once more.
Over the past two months, our service has been instrumental in supporting five tenants in their journey towards independent living. Three have successfully moved into their forever homes and adapted well to the transition.
Mental Health problems range from schizophrenia, depression, personality disorder, feeling low with suicidal thoughts or recovering from drug or alcohol use disorder.
At Newby House, we understand the importance of round-the-clock support. That’s why we offer a 24/7 staffed service, ensuring our residents always have someone to turn to.
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