Kendra Gray’s Post

Yesterday BAC O'Connor Centre took part in Open Houses, a national initiative designed to show the impact and value of residential treatment and the need to protect and strengthen its future.  Open Houses invited professionals behind the doors of residential rehab to see the lifesaving work that takes place in our services. We welcomed 80 people including treatment providers, commissioners, local councillors, housing providers, probation officers, mental health teams, police, the voluntary sector, safeguarding teams, colleagues from OHID Robert Spencer, Nicky Gillard and Sam Read, and we were honoured to welcome the Mayor of East Staffordshire Monica Holton and her Consort who sat in on a group, met with staff and client's who took her on a tour then joined us for lunch at Langan's Tea Rooms Burton. Residential rehabs have faced barriers around pathways, funding and integration for many years. At BAC, our block contract and partnership with Staffordshire County Council enables full integration into the Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery System (STaRS), coupled with funding and strong partnerships with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Change Grow Live Birmingham all help people access treatment without unnecessary barriers and hurdles. These arrangements strengthen relationships with commissioners, treatment providers and the wrap around services supporting our clients with resettlement, including housing, education, employment and safeguarding but most importantly these arrangements make it easier for the people accessing our services. I have long advocated for block contracts for residential rehabs to enable true integration. I hope that Open Houses encourages policymakers and commissioners to rethink how residential rehab is commissioned and addresses the inequitable access to this lifesaving treatment across the country. Today also marked Langan's Tea Rooms 15th birthday🎈 Langan’s provides training, education, volunteering and paid employment opportunities for graduates of our rehab programme. Visitors saw this work in action and enjoyed our freshly made food and cakes. We also celebrated together with a fabulous birthday cake made by our Head of Catering, Simon Holt. I am immensely proud of our clients for sharing their stories, helping visitors understand the trauma they have experienced and challenging the stigma surrounding the people we support. Our amazing staff team helped visitors understand the work we do and I want to thank them for everything they do on a daily basis supporting people to change their lives. Above all, I hope today helps more people access rehab and realise a life beyond their wildest dreams. Thank you to everyone who visited us today. All members of Choices Rehabs are taking part in Open Houses so if you haven't had the chance to visit a rehab please go to Open Houses to book a place at a rehab near you. #OpenHouses #residentialrehab #recovery #recoverycommunities