North Somerset Wellbeing House

A soothing sanctuary

We’ve opened the doors to a new Wellbeing House in North Somerset, following the success of our Bath-based service. Erin Stewart, Team Leader, takes us on a tour.

Stepping over the threshold of Curo’s Wellbeing House in North Somerset is like entering a soothing sanctuary, away from the pressures of everyday life.

“We all face stressful times and may need extra support,” says Erin Stewart, Team Leader for Curo, who helped to set up the new service. “Wellbeing House is a place where anyone in the area can stay for up to seven days’ respite when things get too tough.”

The new service was set up in response to demand in North Somerset, following the success of Bath’s Wellbeing House. “Bath & North East Somerset Council have given us fantastic feedback about how beneficial it has been for the community,” explains Erin. “In fact, they’ve just recommissioned the service for another two years.

“North Somerset Council wanted to commission a Wellbeing House too. They’re dedicated to funding projects that prevent mental ill health and were key stakeholders in setting up this new service. They have been wonderfully supportive and passionate about the project.”

With the local authority on board, the search for a house was on, but finding a suitable property proved challenging. “We approached many landlords, but encountered resistance,” says Erin. “People weren’t sure what we’d be doing or how it would affect the community.”

An asset to the community

Fortunately, Erin could point to Curo’s long record of running the first Wellbeing House. “We could demonstrate that the house is a real asset to the community: anyone can use it, and if people nearby are struggling, they can come and stay,” she says.

The perfect property presented itself in an unexpected way, when North Somerset Council acquired a family home due to roadworks on the dual carriageway.

A detached property in a beautiful rural setting, the Wellbeing House has a real sense of peace and connection with nature. There are green outdoor areas, spacious communal rooms for group activities and events, and five guest bedrooms upstairs, all furnished and decorated to create a restorative, relaxing atmosphere.

Downstairs, there’s a communal kitchen where residents can prepare their own meals. There’s also a gym and space for gardening activities.

Guests can refer themselves to stay at the Wellbeing House or be referred by a GP or support worker. “You need to be experiencing a decline in your wellbeing,” says Erin. “You must also have a North Somerset postcode or be registered with a GP in the area.”

When guests come to stay, they can expect one-to-one sessions with on-site support workers, as well as weekly group activities. “We also work to connect residents with community services and activities – this could be everything from Nordic walking to ‘knit and natter’ groups,” says Erin. “During their stay, everyone develops an exit plan so they know exactly what support and activities they can access afterwards – and they’re always welcome to return.”

Now that the hard work of getting the house up and running is complete, Erin and the team are delighted to be welcoming guests to stay.

“I feel terrific now it’s open. The house is beautiful, and I feel privileged to run such an impactful service. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved, though I couldn’t have done it without my amazing team.

“When guests leave, I hope they’ll feel calm, equipped with a clear plan and better coping mechanisms – and happy that they’ve stayed.”

If you want to find out more about staying at the North Somerset Wellbeing House, please email the team.