Grŵp Cynefin unit in partnership to launch hospital to home scheme

Grŵp Cynefin’s homelessness and support unit, Gorwel, has partnered up to launch a new service to help people who have experienced mental illness return home safely after hospital treatment.

The new Gwynedd scheme has been developed through a partnership between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Gwynedd Council and Gorwel.

The focus of the scheme is to ensure people who have spent time in hospital due to mental ill-health can return home or move to other suitable accommodation once they have completed their treatment in a planned and supported way.

Osian Elis, Chief Operating Officer at Gorwel said:

“We’ve been working with the Health Board for a while now in different ways and we’re really looking forward to working on this new partnership together. Working with the Health Board to ensure that people who have come through such a traumatic experience can leave hospital, be supported to maintain their recovery and build the life they want is something we’re really proud to do.”

Phil Forbes, Clinical Lead for Housing for BCUHB’s Mental Health Division, said: “We’re really pleased to have developed this scheme with Gorwel. We’ve found in the past that when the time comes for someone to move back into their community, the support isn’t always there to help them make a smooth transition back to their home or to another place where they can continue to move forward. This puts their recovery at risk and has implications for how many people we are able to help. This much needed partnership will play an important role in ensuring that people leaving our care can go on to make a full recovery and move on with their lives.”

The scheme is funded through the Welsh Government’s Regional Integration Fund and will operate by having a Gorwel support worker based in the mental health unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd. They will spend time with patients who are reaching the end of their hospital stay, get to know them and what they need and then support them with moving out and setting up home.

Osian added: “It’s really challenging these days for people to find and set up a home and this is doubly difficult if you’re recovering from an illness. We’re seeing more and more people’s mental health suffering because of the cost of living situation and the lack of affordable accommodation in the area makes it difficult for anyone on a limited income. Bringing different bodies and agencies such as health and housing together provides the linked-up support that’s needed to help our communities through the current crisis.”

If you or someone you know might benefit from talking to someone at Gorwel, you can call their office on 0300 111 2121 or e-mail cydgysylltydd@gorwel.org

For media enquiries, contact Mari Williams, Communications Manager, Grŵp Cynefin ond  mari.williams@grwpcynefin.org / 07970 142 305