Our main aim is to integrate service users back into the community as soon as possible by improving well-being in all parts of their life. Areas of functioning that are focused on include Personal Management and Self Care, Socialization, Work Activities and Leisure.
Therapeutic interventions are offered across the following areas:
- Managing Mental Health
- Self-care
- Living Skills
- Social Networks
- Work
- Relationships
- Addictive Behaviour
- Responsibilities
- Identity and self-esteem
- Trust and hope
Treatment plans are carried out by members of our multidisciplinary team which consists of DBT therapists, an Occupational Therapist, an Occupational Therapy Assistant, a Yoga therapist, a Drama therapist, a Consultant and Ward Doctor, Nurses, Support workers, House keeper, Cook etc.
Occupational Therapy
The OT carries out specialist assessments including MOHOST, Recovery Star, Interest Checklist, Kitchen and Road Risk assessments. Interventions are conducted in both group and individual sessions. The aim is to collaboratively develop a treatment program tailored specially to each service users specific and individual needs. Support and encouragement is offered while promoting a balanced and meaningful life.
As Kenton is a female rehabilitation unit, the emphasis lies on community involvement. Through a graded activity program, service users learn helpful skills which they can use out in the community. Service users are then guided towards opportunities in the community which they can use as a platform to practice and master these skills. The OT staff members attend MDT meetings, ward rounds and CPAs, and play an active part in care planning, risk assessment and risk management.
Therapy Programme
Cygnet Lodge Kenton offers service users at least 25 hours of meaningful therapy per week.
We provide personalized packages of care to individual service users ensuring they have regular meaningful activities on a weekly basis. Service users involvement in the treatment program is monitored and evaluated to ensure the best possible therapy is provided. The therapy programme entails groups that focus on living skills, physical health, mental health and leisure. They include:
Planning meeting/Community meeting
The day starts with service users and staff engaging in a mindfulness exercise, which is a DBT (Dialectic behavioural therapy) component where patients observe, describe and participate in various tasks one-mindfully, non-judgmentally and effectively. Then proceeds with a service user led planning meeting where the day’s agendas and planning are done. Menu planning, task sharing and community issues are discussed. On Friday’s community meetings, debriefing and other issues are discussed.
Recovery Star group/Goal setting
Cygnet Lodge Kenton care is guided by a Recovery Star tool recommended by National Mental Health UK. The Multi-Disciplinary Team together with the service users, assess 10 major areas of the patient’s life (i.e, life skills, mental health, relationships, physical health, trust and hope, etc). Then, they work together towards improvement of the main areas of concern. Care plans and therapy programmes for individual service users are based on the assessment and are reviewed monthly.
DBT skills
Dialectic Behavioural Therapy is for service users that have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and who demonstrate mood disorders and self harming behaviour. Through DBT they learn interpersonal effectiveness skills, distress tolerance and also gain emotional regulation skills. They also learn how to be mindful to cope with overwhelming emotions. The group is conducted by fully qualified DBT Therapists.
Well-Woman Group
Facilitated by different professionals, including the ward doctor, Nurses, Unit Manager, support workers among others. It is a platform where all ladies in the unit learn about different aspects of self and discover how to take care of themselves. Topics like mental health awareness, physical health and relapse prevention are covered.
Self-Esteem and Mood-Management
Self esteem is a group that focuses on exploring aspects of self with the aim of improving self worth, body image and also building confidence and assertiveness. In Mood Management service users learn skills that help them manage their feelings, behaviour and actions, so as to act in appropriate manner.
Open Discussion Group
Unstructured group where service users discuss topics that relate to them at the time. It is facilitated by OT staff. Interesting topics such as relationships, conflict situations and issues pertaining to the dynamics on the unit are openly discussed.
Individual Therapy
Every service user has 1:1 individual therapy session with different therapists depending on their needs. They have time to plan, act, and reflect on different matters pertaining to their difficulties and also to gain therapeutic support. Therapists involved are DBT, CBT, OT trained therapists, Nurses, support workers and also psychologists and Ward Doctors.
Dramatherapy, Music and Therapeutic Art & Writing
Both groups are facilitated by a qualified Drama Therapist. Service users engage in singing, song writing, poetry and art among others. The group helps patients to be creative, express themselves, improve social skills and also to have lots of fun!
Social Skills and Leisure trips
Service users learn good communication skills, assertiveness, how to build on their relationships and all other appropriate behaviours. After social skills group, service users practise these skills during planned community based leisure trips. These leisure trips include Tenpin bowling, visits to the cinema and coffee shops, picnics and barbeques.
Cooking Skills
Service users cook individually or in pairs. They learn new recipes, menu planning, healthy eating tips, budgeting, kitchen management and cooking skills. A full kitchen assessment is done by OT.
Fitness
Different fitness activities are carried out such as swimming, walking, dancing. It is an opportunity to keep fit and also use community based facilities.
Creative Group
An inventive group whereby service users carry out different projects, such as bead making, stitching and embroidery, pillow making, mosaic, drawing, colouring and painting. It is a relaxed group where the women can explore their imagination and creativity.
Unit Shopping
Service user-led shopping, where each individual shops for the unit necessities weekly at the local Sainsbury Supermarket with the help of OT staff. It’s an opportunity for service users to build self confidence, learn budgeting and organisation skills, team-work and social/community integration.
Yoga
Yoga is facilitated by a qualified Yoga therapist, who conducts basic yoga workouts and autogenic breathing exercises. It helps patients relax, exercise and learn how to manage stress.
Others
Weekend activities and trips include BBQs, gardening, own cooking and shopping. Evening activities include quizzes, bingo, DVD nights, games, karaoke, pampering and self-care.
