Keswick’s ground-breaking neuro-rehabilitation centre Calvert Reconnections has released its annual Clinical Outcomes Review, with the majority of participants who identified independent living as a goal going on to achieve it.
It found that 65% of participants progressed on to paid employment, vocational training, volunteering or community activity while the centre saw a 150% increase in occupancy over the last 12 months.
The Calvert Reconnections team more than doubled in size from 16 to 35 members of staff and new appointments included a speech and language therapist and a positive behaviour specialist.
Head of service Claire Appleton said: “Over the last 12 months, Calvert Reconnections has firmly established itself as an integral part of the ABI rehab community, welcoming more participants than ever before and achieving a wide-range of outstanding outcomes.
“As a service, we are constantly striving to expand the horizons of what’s possible with ABI rehabilitation.
“We are very aware that people with ABI can sometimes find the set procedures of neuro-rehabilitation too clinical, inflexible and impersonal. At Reconnections, our unique approach combines cognitive and physical rehabilitation with vocational and outdoor activities delivered within a unique non-clinical environment.
“We support people to become the best they can be through an outstanding team including neuro occupational therapists, neuro physiotherapists, neuro speech and language therapists, neuro psychologists, clinical psychologists, positive behaviour support practitioners and rehabilitation coaches.”
Another highlight during 2023 was Reconnections achieving a Good rating in its first Care Quality Commission inspection. The report praised the service for being consistently managed and well-led.
It said Reconnections promotes high-quality, person-centred care and was open, inclusive and empowering.
Claire added: “We have welcomed participants of all ages to our goal-focused rehab programme over the last 12 months. Being part of the positive changes to their lives has been a privilege and the feedback from family and professionals involved has been inspirational. We are proud of the life-changing outcomes they have achieved.”
