Today (26 February 2025) Look Ahead and the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) celebrated the launch of Well House, our new crisis house service in Redbridge.
The two organisations’ Chief Executives Chris Hampson and Paul Calaminus spoke at a breakfast event at the service marking Well House’s recent opening. They were joined by Look Ahead and NELFT staff who developed, and now deliver the service, as well as local representatives from The Association of Redbridge African Caribbean Communities (TARACC) and the Redbridge Faith Forum.
Attendees enjoyed tours around the building and its facilities, and learned more about how Look Ahead and the NELFT Home Treatment Team will run the service and support individuals experiencing mental health crisis to recover as they leave hospital, or as an alternative to hospital admission altogether.
The service offers 24-hour support and a psychologically informed environment to up to seven people experiencing a mental health crisis. Residents have their own self-contained one-bedroom apartment and are usually expected to stay for around 2-3 weeks before they return home. Look Ahead staff will support individuals towards longer-term recovery and resilience, with continued clinical input from NELFT practitioners.
Chris Hampson, Look Ahead CEO said:
“Celebrating the opening of Well House today was a fantastic milestone both for us at Look Ahead and for our NHS colleagues at NELFT. The scheme provides yet another reminder of the importance of integrated social care, housing and health settings and the role they can play in keeping people out of hospital and living in the community.
Paul Calaminus, NELFT CEO, said:
“This new crisis house represents an important step forwards in support for those in mental health crisis that supports sustained wellbeing and recovery while reducing the need for hospitalisation. Thank you to all our partners, and most of all our service users, who have worked so hard to develop this new service in Redbridge.”
