"Awkward Stay."

I was in the sanctuary , a few years ago. I was made to feel very unwelcome in there by one staff member but the others were okay.

I stayed in the room the whole time, nobody really spoke to me i was just left and personally did not find it very helpful. Think of a quiet hotel with nobody around - if that is something that would help you then fair enough I can see it might be supportive to some. I lay in bed for three days just getting up to see the crisis team. There was one time I couldn't sleep so went and sat in the lounge and I spoke to a staff member. They gave me an awkward look and got up and left the room saying they were going to clean. I really needed to talk to someone there and then and that was really the only time I had said more than a hello to the staff, or the staff said hello to me. One said they liked my shoes (that was nice of them) but there's not really, or was not really much talking support. It is better as a quiet place to stay, just not much 1-1 time with any staff, very different to a hospital setting where you can talk to staff in depth about anything troubling you. I feel this is why some actually prefer hospital rather than the sanctuary. I feel it's good for a crisis that is just brewing, perhaps not for a person who's made a few attempts in the space of a week and is planning more. It's not their fault, though., at the Sanctuary. They did make me feel welcome but it was not what I had expected. Not very intensive support, just a peaceful hotel place where you *Can* talk to someone if you want to. See it like a house full of samaritans. They are friendly and gentle but that evening was really awkward for me and has put me off going back. I would say that it would be good if staff were approachable to talk to, or if they had set times for 1-1 just to check in with how people are doing.

I am unsure if the sanctuary assess people whilst they are staying there however i feel talking to the person staying is important as that's the best way to see how someone is and it makes residents/patients feel more welcomed.