The Centre

A SANCTUARY TO

REST AND REBUILD

During the time of deep reflection in the weeks following Matty’s death, the vision of a sanctuary for those who needed it started to form. This was our response to knowing that we needed to do better. We wanted to contribute to creating a place where Matt and others who feel like there is nowhere left to go would have felt comfortable, that wasn’t a hospital and adopted a more holistic approach to wellness and recovery.

A sanctuary is defined in different ways, in this context "immunity afforded by refuge in such a place"is probably the best definition. A place where people can build immunity to the suffering that hounds them, a place where they experience shelter, protection, and safety.

Here’s what the sanctuary or centre might look like:

A place offering respite in its true sense - protection, safety and refuge.
A safe place to go to ride out the storms when the highs and lows get extreme, and to learn skills to better navigate pronounced moods moving forward.
It would offer the best of current practice in services such as psychological therapies, family inclusive practice, medication, trauma informed care and sensory modulation, and combine these with other techniques such as healthy diet, massage, yoga, and meditation to offer a holistic service.
A key therapeutic part of the centre’s programme would be physical work on the land in a natural setting done according to the person's unique pace. This could include gardening, building and construction, and exercise.
Creative work would be important. The centre focuses on channeling people’s talents, passions and skills, potentially with the view to leading to meaningful and flexible occupation. A work space offering creative workshops and visiting professionals would be a feature of the centre.
Process and outcome evaluation will be embedded to measure effectiveness. Proven practices will then be promoted to other services that support people with mental health difficulties, through training and resource development.
Peer support (‘veterans’ who have learned to live well with more complex mental health issues) will play a crucial role in the centre because no one else knows the experience of what it is to dive to the deepest depths or soar to the highest heights, and get back again.
The centre would also hold an advocacy role to reduce the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds bipolar. and other complex mental health issues. Part of this work could to be educate employers in responsible and non-discriminatory practice.
While holding specialisation in bipolar, the centre could be accessed by people with a range of mental health issues who are at the point where they can no longer see how to live life well and need a place to go to reignite their hope.