Two
Drop-In Centres for 150 Service Users with Low to Medium Mental Health
Support Needs
PURPOSE
Barking
& Dagenham Drop-In Centres support individuals with mental health
problems by providing informal and planned opportunities for social
interaction and activities. These will support service users to increase
their independence and sense of self-value and self-worth thereby enabling
them to become part of their community and to access mainstream services.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The service has been operated by Tulip since January
2005 and consists of two Drop-In Centres; the William Bellamy Centre
located in Dagenham and the Jessie Dixon Centre located in Barking. The
service supports approximately 150 people providing a range of drop-in
facilities and support groups.
The Centres are open 10-4 Mondays to Fridays, 4-8
Wednesdays and 12-4 Sundays.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
The service provides the service users with the
opportunity to socialise and develop personal and social skills in a
friendly and safe environment.
A meal is available at both centres at lunchtime.
Encouragement and support from skilled staff enables
service users to access training and college courses, work and voluntary
placements.
A Healthy Living Programme is provided enabling service
users to take part in swimming, weight training and aerobic activities as
well as weekly organised walks.
Activities such as Pilates, yoga and snooker are also
held in-house.
SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT AND CONSULTATION
The Drop-In Centres hold regular monthly service user
forums where members contribute to the planning of activities and outings.
They are consulted on and contribute to developing the service.
Service users can, if they are able to, work as
volunteers in the centres.
Service users work with staff on their own fundraising
schemes and have a devolved budget for activities.
ENSURING QUALITY
Monthly management supervision is provided to all
staff.
Team meetings occur monthly and focus on referrals,
assessments and discharges.
Clinical supervision will be conducted as appropriate
by an external consultant focusing on therapeutic practice and service
development issues.
Regular contract meetings are held with the Mental
Health Commissioner at which detailed statistical and quality-monitoring
information is provided.
STAFFING
The staff team is comprised of:
Operational Manager,
2 Centre Managers,
2 Assistant Managers,
2 cooks
2 Extended Hours Managers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
