The Gateway Recovery Group is a monthly online peer support group for women who have been discharged from Gateway Recovery Centre as well as those coming up to discharge.
A couple of years ago, we were in contact with several women who had been discharged from Gateway Recovery Centre. They spoke about some of the challenges of their transition into the community, including how isolating and lonely it can feel. This was further exacerbated by COVID restrictions, which often led to very brief transition plans.
We wanted to learn more about this and try to find ways to improve our service users’ experience of the discharge process. We got in touch with a number of our ex-service users and invited them to an initial meeting to discuss some of these issues further and consider ways that we could work together to improve the experience for other people.
From this, we agreed that we would facilitate a monthly online support group with the following aims:
- Giving a supportive and safe space for individuals to speak about the positives as well as the challenges in their recovery and receive support and advice from others
- Identify some learning points to improve the discharge process at Gateway Recovery Centre
- Use our knowledge and experience to offer support to current patients at Gateway Recovery Centre who are approaching discharge
- It’s important for us that the group feels safe for those attending and it’s viewed as a supportive option without any pressure to attend. Participation is completely voluntary. All members agree to abide by a set of group rules, expectations and confidentiality
The Side by Side research identified a set of core values that make peer support different from other forms of mental health support. Many of these values relate to the ways in which people treat each other in peer support relationships.
- Experience in common (p.13). Peers share similar backgrounds, experiences, interests, or goals
- Two-way interactions (p.26). Peers have opportunities to give and receive support
- Safety (p.18). Peer support has structures in place to create physical and emotional safety
- Human connection (p.30). Peers develop meaningful connections with each other
- Choice and control (p.23). Peers have choice and control in how they are involved in their peer support
- Freedom to be oneself (p.34). Peers feel able to express themselves, and be themselves in peer support
(Taken from a toolkit from Mind)
One of our founding group members, Charlotte, has been attending the forum since her discharge nearly 2 years ago. Charlotte speaks of some of the challenges that she has faced during these two years but has shown herself to be incredibly strong and determined.
“After 3 1/2 years in hospital I was petrified of leaving and starting again. I struggled with saying goodbye to all my support and closing a chapter I didn’t really want to close. The support forum has helped me to stay connected not just to my psychologist and counsellor but also to other service users. I have been able to talk openly about how things are going, the good and the struggles…
…People at the forum are very supportive and there is never any pressure to talk. I am also glad that I have been able to offer advice to the patients that are looking at leaving as I understand their fears. I look forward to the monthly meetings and I and others benefit from them”.
– Charlotte
After being Charlotte’s psychologist at Gateway Recovery Centre, it has been amazing to continue to be part of her recovery journey.
One of the group members worked with us to develop a recovery booklet to help others prepare for their discharge. One of our group members has also recently come to Gateway Recovery Centre to speak to some of the patients and staff about her recovery journey. She is currently training to be a mental health nurse. I had a lot of positive feedback from patients who found it very inspirational.
It was particularly motivating for the staff who worked with her when she was a patient. Our roles can be, at times, very challenging and being reminded of the positive work that we do and the impact this has had on the lives of our patients, makes all the tough times worthwhile.
As the group facilitators, we have gained so much from being able to see how these extraordinary women continue to progress, and support each other to progress, despite all the challenges that they come up against.
– Siobhan Quinn, Lead Psychologist, Gateway Recovery Centre