Young people move into state-of-the-art FitzRoy

Date: 04/01/2017

FitzRoy House has been carefully designed with the input of psychiatrists, nursing teams, occupational therapists and the patients themselves, to create the best possible environment for recovery. Decisions on ward names, the interior colour scheme and the many artwork installations have been led by patients to help create a feeling of warmth and welcome.

St Andrew’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service  cares for young patients with mental illnesses, autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. As a charity we have invested significantly to bring patients the latest therapeutic developments to support personalised care packages.

Features of FitzRoy House include:

• A custom-designed sensory therapy room that incorporates inbuilt sound-damping, adjustable lighting and secure fastenings for swing equipment. St Andrew’s was the first residential mental health provider to adopt sensory therapy and it has proved highly beneficial to patients
• Art and music suites, outdoor animal care courtyards and fitness rooms, together with therapy kitchens and a light workshop. An indoor sports hall and outside multi-use games area provides space for team games
• A new setting for St Andrew’s College, rated by Ofsted as outstanding. A unique science laboratory enables students to complete practical exams by instructing a teacher to perform experiments on their behalf – that way keeping them safe from hazardous chemicals
• A TEACCH* classroom within the College, specially designed to provide a supportive environment for students with autistic spectrum disorders. The room has low lighting, sound damping and distinct student workspaces.

Added to all these facilities is a central courtyard with a water feature, a café for patients, visitors and staff, and huge amounts of outside space, including a courtyard for every ward. Numerous comfortable visitor suites have also been developed so that our patients can spend more time with friends and family.

FitzRoy House is a major milestone in our journey to become a world-class mental healthcare provider. We believe it will become a centre of excellence in transforming the lives of young people with complex mental health conditions. We already have an enviable track record in helping our young patients progress back into the community, by giving them coping and life skills as well as support to gain academic qualifications and work experience. FitzRoy House will help us take this even further.

Click here to learn more about Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)