Woodland retreat opens for vulnerable young people

Reporter: Bury Focus
Date online: 21 November 2011

A new innovative woodland retreat has been developed in Bury to enhance the rehabilitation of young people with mental health problems.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, a provider of community and mental health services in Greater Manchester, has developed a state-of-the-art treehouse and nature area to complement the existing Hope and Horizon units that provide treatment to young people with complex mental health needs.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester visited the retreat to learn more about how it will benefit patients.

The Woodland Retreat is the first mental health unit of its kind in the country and will introduce young people from the Hope and Horizon units to relaxation and learning, enhancing the units’ therapeutic approach.

Pennine Care funded the £178,000 development, aided by a £100,000 grant from the Department of Health via the King’s Fund.

The Hope and Horizon units offer assessment and treatment to young people aged between 13 and 18, for a range of complex conditions including schizophrenia, depression, self harm and eating disorders. It is hoped that the Woodland Retreat will complement the patients’ treatment by helping to reduce stress and tension.

Keith Walker, Specialist Services Director at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “The Woodland Retreat provides our patients with a truly unique experience in a natural setting which is conducive to supporting the young peoples’ care and treatment, as well as a place to learn, relax and play.

“Treating young people that have a mental illness can be challenging, often involving difficult behaviour, so it’s important that we find new and engaging ways of supporting their rehabilitation. The young people who use our services said they wanted a place that was totally different from the clinical surroundings of the ward, which prompted the development of the Woodland Retreat. Many of the young people who access our services have had poor life experiences and we hope that the retreat will help to build their confidence and make them feel valued.

During his visit, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, said: “It was a great pleasure to be invited to officially open the Woodland Retreat. Pennine Care has acknowledged the needs of the young people it cares for by providing this alternative woodland area. I hope that it brings significant benefits to the young people who will use it and that it will help them to regain confidence in themselves.”

Set in the natural woodland next to the Hope and Horizon units, the Woodland Retreat includes a 40 metre wooden treehouse, complete with decked area, barbeque and allotment. The space has been designed with the needs of the young patients in mind to ensure that it is safe, secure and supports the therapeutic approach of the Hope and Horizon Units.

Sustainable design and construction company Blue Forest UK led on the design and build of the centre.

Referrals to the Hope and Horizon units are accepted from anywhere in the UK.

For more information visit www.penninecare.nhs.uk or call 0161 918 8530.