A 40 year-old woman with a history of mental illness is preparing for a new life in the community after five years in a care home.
VC, who has schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder, has lived at Linden Lodge in Southgate, London, part of Priory Adult Care, since leaving hospital five years ago.
VC said: “Thanks to the staff at Linden Lodge who have supported me and helped me to build and maintain the skills and confidence I needed to move on. Along with the Hearing Voices Group I was introduced to I am now ready and confident that moving into supported living is the right thing at the right time.
“Five years ago I had spent time in hospital and was very mentally unwell. I was due to leave hospital and had nowhere to live when my social worker suggested a registered care home. A visit to Linden Lodge convinced me that this was a warm and friendly place where I could feel safe and at home.
“Five years have passed and I have remained well and have not returned to hospital. I am looking forward to a new chapter living a much more independent life thanks to the wonderful support of everyone at Linden Lodge.
“The help and support of the staff team has been very beneficial to my wellbeing and I will certainly come back and visit.”
Stacey Cowen-Turner, service manager at Linden Lodge, said: “We held a combined 40th birthday and leaving party for VC and, although we will miss her, it is fantastic that we have enabled her to move forward with her life in such a positive way.
“Our aim is to enable and support our residents into leading fulfilling and independent lives and VC’s positive outcome is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Linden Lodge.”
Linden Lodge is a service for 10 adults with mental health problems.
For more information on the specialist services Priory Adult Care can offer, please call the enquiries and referrals team on 0808 208 2147 or click here to make an enquiry.