Curo News

Bath’s free wellbeing retreat holds open-doors day

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:03:50 Z

Between 1pm and 4pm on Friday 13 December, Curo's Wellbeing House in Bath is opening its doors, giving local people the chance to look around this free retreat overlooking the city.

The Wellbeing House, which won the UK Housing Award in 2018, provides a retreat for those experiencing mental health distress. It's a place where people can stay for a few days, getting support to help them stabilise themselves, and prevent a deterioration in their mental health and wellbeing.

Curo Wellbeing Project Officer Fabiana Vitorino said: “Open day visitors will be able to look around the house and gardens, and hear how people can benefit from a stay with us.

“If you're a health, social care or housing professional, or simply someone interested in how the Wellbeing House could help you or a loved one, please come along and find out more about this award-winning service.”

To book your open day place and for more information about the event, including the address and directions, contact Fabiana on 0300 123 2466 or email wellbeing.house@curo-group.co.uk.

Here's the plan for the day:

1-2pm: house tour
2-2.30pm: presentation and Q&A
2.30-4pm: house tour

Click here for more information about the Wellbeing House.

Sarah describes 'life-changing' stay at Curo's Wellbeing House

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 08:59:51 Z

Curo’s Wellbeing House in Bath provides a retreat for people experiencing mental health distress. Staying at the Wellbeing House offers people space and support to stabilise their mood, often preventing the need to access further mental health services.

One of the many people to have benefited from a stay at the house is 'Sarah'. Sarah was referred to the Wellbeing House through the NHS, having been in hospital on a number of occasions through periods of poor mental health.

Sarah said: “I’ve been in and out of services since I was young. The Wellbeing House was the first time I’d said I need a break from everything and someone had actually answered with a solution.

“It’s the first service that has actually been there for me when I’ve tried to make the effort to do something before it gets worse.”

Sarah describes the Wellbeing House as somewhere peaceful, calm and organised that makes her feel safe.

“That stay really did change my entire life. I literally decided then and there that I was moving to Bath. I gave up all past connections.

“It’s still been hard. If I feel I’m close to dipping back into that I can come back here which I’ve done and it’s helped massively. It’s definitely been a big turning point for me.”

Sarah’s mum, 'Alex', has supported her daughter throughout and is in no doubt about the positive impact of the support offered at the Wellbeing House. “It empowered her. It put her back in control.

“There’s a kind of magic that happens at the Wellbeing House, and it’s available for everyone who stays at the house if you’re ready to receive it. And it’s really OK if not, you can just come to have a break and enjoy the peace and respite it offers.

“Looking back I wish I’d known about the Wellbeing House for myself, as there were times when I was confused, exhausted and totally overwhelmed and so unable to support my daughter properly. I would have hugely benefited from a break myself.”

Staying at The Wellbeing House is free. People in Bath & North East Somerset can access this free service by being referred by a health, social care or housing professional, or directly by visiting www.curo-group.co.uk/wellbeinghouse or calling 0300 123 2466.

Names have been changed.

Wellbeing House through to national award finals

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 14:24:22 Z

The Bath Wellbeing House, a retreat provided by Curo and commissioned by Virgin Care for local people experiencing mental health distress, has been shortlisted for the UK Housing Awards.

The service, which offers people a place to stay where they can receive support to stabilise themselves and prevent a crisis, is a finalist in the 'Outstanding approach to meeting specialist housing needs' category of the prestigious Inside Housing awards scheme.

"We're really proud of of the Welling House and excited to be shortlisted for these awards," said Director of Health, Care and Support, Harriet Bosnell. "We know we have something very special with the Wellbeing House because we continually hear amazing feedback from the many people who've already benefited from this free service. We think this service is a brilliant example of how partnerships between housing associations like Curo and health and support organisations like Virgin Care can make a real difference to people's health and wellbeing. We'd love to see more Wellbeing Houses, so I hope this recognition will help to spread the word."

Find out more about this unique service Bath, and how local people can stay at the house at no cost:

Visit the Wellbeing House.

A stay at the Wellbeing House: Michael's story

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 01:00:00 Z

Michael, pictured, is one of many people who have stayed at our Wellbeing House since it opened in 2015. The Wellbeing House is a spacious Victorian property in Bath, offering a place for people to stay if they’re experiencing mental or emotional distress.

Michael has Myalgic Encephalopathy, or ME, a debilitating illness that affects around 250,000 people in Britain. Michael also suffered from anxiety and depression and was being supported by his local Mental Health Team who referred Michael to the Wellbeing House.

When Michael came to the Wellbeing House he was living in shared accommodation and was having problems with other tenants causing noise. Michael had lost his job because of the effects of ME and was finding it difficult to get enough rest. At an already difficult time, this unpleasant and noisy home environment heightened Michael’s anxiety and depression.

By coming into the Wellbeing House Michael was able to get the peace and quiet he needed. He stayed at the house on three different occasions and we were able to signpost him to other agencies who could help him further.

Today Michael says he feels on the road to recovery – he’s also moved out of his shared house and now has his own Curo property.

Find out more about the Wellbeing House.