Posted on: 1 December 2021
In November 2020, the Stepdown Service was set up to support patients to move from mental health inpatient services into a community-based, recovery-focused environment. For the past year, it has provided a consistent alternative to extended stays on acute mental health wards by making transition back into the community less daunting for patients.
Step-Down offers 24-hour live-in care in temporary accommodations with in-reach from a community team made up of an occupational therapist, a nurse and a social worker, as well as a support worker provided by our partner, LifeCome Care. Residents are supported with activities of daily living and any social or practical needs for up to a 12-week stay.
It has been a remarkable year for the team who have now supported 260 individuals get back into the community. They recently won a Positive Practice in Mental Health Award for Specialist and Community Mental Rehabilitation.
The team celebrated their anniversary by sharing their experiences working with the service over the last year:
Nicola Jhumat, Head of Community Access Service & Step down
“I am so proud of Stepdown, what it stands for and what we have achieved. I want to thank the Lifecome support workers and my CNWL team for empowering patients to take a step forward in their recovery. I’ve had a very positive and rewarding experience starting this project!”
Sonia Jhumat, Patient Flow & Stepdown Support Coordinator
“Since working with Stepdown I have found it a very rewarding job and have enjoyed my time. I enjoy making a difference in patient’s lives and seeing them move on to live independently and reach their full potential. I’m very proud to be part of the team!”
Col Te Aho, Urgent Care Senior CAS/Stepdown Nurse 
“I am incredibly proud of the last year. Nursing has been at the forefront of the last year and the Urgent Care Service has been incredibly unfailing in its commitment to patient access to care. The CNWL Stepdown provision has enabled patients who are ready for discharge from inpatient wards to go back to the community. It’s great to work in a winning team.”
Ayodeji George
“It’s a life changing experience. I’ve been able to work and find out patients’ goals and how we can achieve them. An individual is treated and respected as a capable human being while the focus is completely result-oriented with compassionate care. Patients require help with tasks night and day, and I’m always available to provide support no matter what. In this job, I am included in the decision-making about my patients’ welfare. I am involved in the administering of medication & practical tasks for patients.”
Toyin Ogabi
“I’m a live-in support worker for mental health and health care services and I’ve been working with this organisation for about a year now. It’s a job that requires your presence at all times, and there’s an absolute reward in taking care of a person. I enjoy doing it and I’m also delighted to see all of these people moving on with their lives with the help and love from our team”.
Roselyn Assiffah
“I have been working with LifeCome Care for about five months as a support worker. This job has been rewarding because it’s enabled me to help the clients and make a lasting impact on these individual's lives during their time at stepdown accommodation.”
Shamera Labukenya
“Prior to working in Mental Health Support, I was unaware of the level of support available to people who need the service. Throughout my time here, I’ve found the team to be ever on the ball and really supportive of people in their care. They make my job so much easier as I know additional support is there when needed. All in all, it's a lovely job and a chance to support people from all walks of life to get back on their feet.”
Sunday Dennis
“I have been an employee for LifeCome Care for a few years now. I enjoy supporting clients as I can see them develop their life skills within three months and reintegrate back into the community. Having the opportunity to work in Stepdown accommodation has enabled a sense of family within the property as I can spend time with clients on a daily basis.”
Aaruj Akbar
“I have been working for CNWL for over a month as a mental health resettlement worker. Although I am fairly new to the role, I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the progress of clients returning to the community. Meeting clients on a weekly basis has enabled me to build rapport whilst supporting clients to achieve their goals.”