News from Needwood House

Mental Health matters at Needwood House

At Needwood House we have a holistic approach to our care, encompassing psychological, physical, and emotional wellbeing. We take a person-centred approach, recognising each resident as a unique individual with their own background and stories to tell. We focus on interests, beliefs and history to ensure residents know they are seen for who they are as an individual.

Rachel, Manager at Needwood, says, ” At Needwood House, we prioritise the mental health of our residents, just as much as their physical well-being. By ensuring they feel good, and we meet their care needs effectively. Our positive environment makes it a great place to live, with a sense of community being a core part of our care, both within the home and through our local connections.

Activities are central to what we do at Needwood House, with a full calendar of activities year-round. We offer a variety of group and one-to-one sessions to suit individuals’ interests and capabilities, ensuring residents can engage in something they enjoy. Scheduled activities also offer a sense of purpose, helping residents feel more productive.

Activities Coordinator Jade says, ” Providing meaningful activities is vital for boosting residents’ mental health. Our diverse offerings cater to their mental, social, and physical needs. From baking, crafts, and movement classes to bingo and social outings to name but a few, we ensure there is something to interest every resident. Needwood House is conveniently located near Cannock Chase, a perfect spot for fresh air. Our residents can also enjoy accompanied visits to the local cafe and shops, offering them more independence.”

Our staff’s mental well-being is just as important to us. We invest time and resources to ensure our staff members are well looked after. Our open-door policy encourages staff to talk about any concerns they have and reach out when they need support. We plan Continual Professional Development courses and team-building events annually, offering support where we see a need.

We invite friends and family to come along and join in with our activities, encouraging residents to stay connected, maintaining their relationships and even building new ones with other residents and team members to help prevent social isolation.

Good mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being. There has been significant progress across broader society to support people, with it also being applied to residential settings, prioritising mental health alongside physical health. If a person’s mental health needs are unmet, it can affect their overall health.