"Warmth from all staff was thorough and genuine."

My experience was totally the opposite to another I have read about Beacon Lodge.

The amount of care, empathy, attention, understanding, compassion, reassurance and warmth from all the staff there was thorough and genuine.

During my stay there they slowly prepared me for moving on and especially in the final 2wks. But I know if I wasn't ready at the end of my stay they were prepared to find me another step down unit to be transferred to.

They would have extended my stay until this new place was all sorted out.

I was, with all their expertise, ready to move on though. But just knowing that there was no pressure what so ever as that date approached was such a relief for me.

I did have other friends there though that genuinely couldn't leave on the leaving date because of problems with accommodation not being sorted (this was not the fault of beacon lodge either) or their accommodation couldn't be furnished in time so their stay was extended for them with enormous understanding.

After all, during your long stay the staff are committed to your recovery which included support with medication, help with finding new accommodation, help sorting benefits, help finding and registering with a doctor's practice, help with shopping, help with finances and money management, building on everyday living skills such as washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning, self care and hygiene all this support along side of endless group therapy activities on building confidence, self esteem, self worth, coping strategies, anxiety management, mindfulness techniques and positive thinking just to name a few.

Running along side that too were social activities for all guests such as game nights, book clubs, baking evenings, arts, crafts, Enrolling guests into recovery college, relaxation evenings, pamper evenings, film nights etc etc etc.

So for staff to put in all that hard work and commitment into getting you well for moving on then to be strict and harsh over a leaving date which could potentially cause stress and undo it all wouldn't make sense to me or them really.

The staff are there to ease the stress and anxiety in your life and that is definitely what I experienced there with myself and what I witnessed with other guests too.

I can't thank the turning point staff at Beacon lodge enough for the wonderful care I received there.

Thank you all.

Posting this with love and support.