"Group Feedback from former Service Users of Forest Close"

Group Feedback from former Users Forest Close, Intensive Rehabilitation Service.

Two previous service users who had spent a considerable amount of time at Forest Close came back to discuss their time there. One had been discharged 18 months previously and the other 3 years previously.  Both felt very comfortable coming back to have the discussion session at Forest Close. Here are the comments that we all agreed could go onto the Care Opinion Website.

Ailis Manzoni and Agnes Wozna, Engagement & Experience Facilitators, SHSC NHS FT

We had a discussion around the feelings they had experienced during the process of discharge.

One felt that “There is nothing fast about leaving hospital, applying for housing, organising the Tribunal and so on and you find the months pass without anything moving on” although interestingly the other service user felt that the transition out at a slower pace suited their needs at the time.

They both felt that you can ‘slip through the net’ if you are not keeping on top of what needs to be done for your discharge.

Both thought that the food that had been provided at Forest Close was very good, which was a real positive about their experience though this then initiate a discussion around the pitfalls of such a lot of food available and the provision of 3 meals a day often meant you might eat when you weren’t particularly hungry and the subsequent weight gain.  Both gained weight during their stay and have lost weight since leaving.  Different staff had different approaches to offering food, some would allow you as much as you wanted others would limit it more.

Another positive was how they felt about staff – they thought they were great; professional and kind. They were motivated to help you to go out.

We discussed the activities that are on offer, they both noted that there is a lot more variety than when they were living at Forest Close which they thought looked good.  They did have a comment about the walking group that although they enjoyed walking and being in the outdoors that often the walk can be too much – too long and you can’t leave – you have to complete it and this can put you off joining in. So it might be better as smaller chunks of activities.  So to ensure that the physical activities are suited to all levels. We also discussed the running group which also had the issue of being too difficult but this has already been amended so it is suitable for all levels so the same could be applied to the walking group.

We briefly talked about getting into employment and they thought that when they had been at Forest Close they weren’t ready to think about employment and they still aren’t now. They thought the best way to test the water for getting back into employment is via volunteering.  One of the service users is currently volunteering and enjoying it and the other one has done some volunteering since they were discharged but isn’t currently doing any even though they had found it beneficial.

When asked what was the best thing about their stay they thought it was that their medication has been sorted and stabilised to allow them to sustain the life they have today. They also thought that the staff at Forest Close were really good and they got on with the staff well.  When thinking about the worst thing it was more about the length of time they spent here and the slowness of the discharge and all the things that slowed that down. Also that there wasn’t enough Talking Therapy, not necessarily psychology sessions but more counselling a chance to talk opportunities.