Rob Warriner, the CEO of the Walsh Trust has given us this report on their innovative community based service for keeping mother and their babies in a safe, home like, nurturing and supportive environment
WALSH Trust has provided community-based, led and responsive mental health and well- being services since 1988.
In 2015 WALSH Trust established a sub-acute, maternal respite service, complemented by mobile, home-based / community support. This was based in a new purpose-built facility. These new services work in close partnership with maternal service teams and clinicians based at Waitemata and Auckland DHBs.
WALSH Trust maternal mental health respite services are community-based, and provide support and assistance for mothers and their babies.
The concept behind the service approach is simple – keeping mum and baby together in a safe, home-like, nurturing and supportive environment.
The service offered is short term (typically less than 5 days), for up to 6 mums and their babies. The respite service is staffed 24/7. Community support is provided usually during day time hours. Day activities are also offered – led by mothers.
The services are staffed by a mix of trained support workers and registered health professionals. Critically each have a particular passion, affinity, and for some, lived experience, in maternal mental health and well-being.
You can read their report here.