We’re proud to have been actively supporting people’s mental health for 30+ years through our comprehensive mental health offer, and in today’s special edition we’ll give you an insight in to how we help people achieve their aspirations and live independently.

Our mental health offer

We offer a range of different services to meet the needs of the people we support, whether that be at one of our independent hospitals or in one of our community settings.

Our six Independent Hospitals are based across the North West and provide active rehabilitation for people with complex mental health needs in a therapeutic hospital environment. Here a dedicated staff of nurses, occupational therapists and support workers ensure that patients engage with the wider community and take proactive steps towards their recovery. 

Our Enhanced Supported Living model provides care that enables people with the most complex needs to live as independently as possible. Through our dedicated community teams, we can access a range of clinicians and services to support a person’s needs. By learning to live independently again, our package of support is tailored to meet an individual’s needs, helping to reduce the potential for relapse and admission to acute services. 

Our Community Outreach Service offers the people we support just enough support to help with recovery and not overwhelm them with additional services that aren’t required. We also identify when people may need additional support, such as therapeutic interventions and clinical advice. 

A look inside one of our independent mental health hospitals…

Emma, Registered Manager at our independent hospital in Ellesmere Port, takes you on a tour of the service
Have you ever wondered what a mental health hospital looks like, and how people are supported within them?

Take a look at what one of our NHS commissioned independent hospitals looks like, where we help people with complex mental health conditions to recover and rehabilitate.

This hospital is commissioned by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.

How do we support people in their recovery?

Join us on a visit to a local ‘Men’s Shed’

Nyash Mdoka, Occupational Therapist at AFG, and Andy, a patient in one of our independent hospitals visit a local Men’s Shed, where Andy is making a rabbit hutch.

One of the key ways that we support people in their recovery is by encouraging them to be active members of their community, learn skills and spend time with others. A great example of a community initiative that has had a positive impact for the people we support is Men’s Sheds.

Men’s Sheds, led by the UK Men’s Sheds Association, is a member organisation which champions sheds across the UK. These volunteer-led community spaces are designed to give men a space to enjoy practical hobbies, learn new skills and spend time with other like-minded people.

Statistics from the organisation show that 89% of people felt less depressed following regular attendance at a Men’s Shed, and we’ve seen the initiative have a great positive impact on the people we support. Watch the video below to find out more, and find your local Men’s Shed here.

What’s it like to work in mental health?

Meet John, Mental Health Nurse at AFG

John, Mental Health Nurse at one of our independent hospitals, talks about what the role involves day to day, and what motivates him to work in mental health.

John has worked in one of our independent hospitals for over three years and supports people experiencing a range of mental health conditions on their journey to recovery.

Interested in our current vacancies? Visit our Work For Us page.