Link House is for women who are experiencing a mental health crisis and are unable to cope in the community. It works to a social care model of recovery. It provides safe, high quality support that has an emphasis on the immediate crisis while also focusing on building resilience, support networks and maintaining good mental health on returning home.

The service is an integrated part of the mental health care pathway, has proved to be invaluable to mental health services and has been very successful in preventing hospital admissions and for those who are admitted into hospital reducing their length of stay.

Residents of Link House together with staff and an independent film maker designed and produced a short film to promote the service and what it offers. Current and past residents are heard in the film talking about their personal journey of using Link House. The film captures life in the house, the support women received from staff and each other and what they gained from their experience. Click on the link on the left to watch.

Some quotes from a recent service user who nominated Link House for an AWP Award:

“I can’t describe how positive my experience of Link House was. I had spent five months in and out of acute wards and the two weeks at Link House were two of the most empowering, compassionate and excellent examples of patient led care I’ve ever experienced.”

“I have no doubt that their respectful and empowering approach broke the cycle of admission and stopped me having to go back to hospital again. They empowered me to move on with my recovery and my life. All of the staff treated me with a level of respect and compassion I’ve never before received during a crisis”

Link House has been chosen as a model of best practice by the World Health Organisation.