My time at Althea Park House

My time at Althea Park House

Before coming to Althea Park House (APH), I’d had loads of hospital admissions for anorexia, and was in and out all the time. I didn’t have any hope that I could get better, but finally I thought I should try something different, like a residential home in the community.

When I got to APH it felt like a gradual re-introduction to life, which really helped my issues with eating. I saw for the first time what life could be like, and for the first time I wanted recovery.

My voice was heard and it felt like I was leading my own care, with the support of the team, so that each step was taken at the right time for me.

Things that really helped me included: 

• Getting the meal plan to suit my autism (bland is best!) 
• Taking gradual steps on the ‘independent eating and living skills’ pathways – this gave me structure and the support from the team really matched what I needed and when Eating in the dining room with full support from the care team. The two chefs made homely food and they were always there if I had any concerns about the food. The chefs also helped me a lot when I started to make my own food in the kitchen with them
• Starting to prepare and then cook my meals, do my own food shopping and have meals out in cafes and restaurants
• Doing things in the community and exploring new places. This showed me a life outside of hospital and all the fun things I could do without my eating disorder
• Deciding not to be weighed (when I was at a healthy weight) – it was such a surprise to have a team really listen to my views about this, and really helped me to stop obsessing about the number on the scales
• Medication – I’ve gradually become responsible for taking my medication. Keeping my own medication in my bedroom really helped my confidence
• Starting voluntary work at a local hedgehog sanctuary – at the beginning I was really anxious about meeting people and often didn’t want to go, but I kept going and gradually it became less stressful and I really enjoyed it – it gave me a sense of purpose and of doing something good
• Practising going on trains and buses – I’ve always been really anxious about doing this. The team supported me in a slow and gradual way and helped me to be confident to do it by myself. My occupational therapy assistant planned my journey in a visual way, which meant that I could process it better
• Playing my flute again – it has been amazing to get back into my music again. This had stopped for the last 3 years when I was in and out of hospitals. My friend at Althea Park House plays the piano and we have now performed at 4 concerts, including at local care homes for the elderly where there was about 35 people in the audience
• Friendships – I made friends, which gave me confidence that I can make friends when I didn’t think I could. I also made a friend at my voluntary work and we now meet up for coffee
• My occupational therapy sessions – they helped me to recognise when I need different things to regulate my emotions
• My therapy sessions – a safe place to be, with a trusting relationship with my therapist. I could do the work at the right pace for me and I was able to talk about trauma which I never thought I’d be able to do, and let myself cry (which I hate!). I am confident that I can now manage my flashbacks and now rarely have one
• My case manager – she always listened to me and believed in me, and helped me make progress, always supporting me and understanding my needs
• The care team at Althea Park House is really small. This really helped me as it was regular faces all of the time, people that I got to know really well, and there was never any agency staff

As I leave Althea Park House now, these are the things that I’m looking forward to, like getting a job, doing driving lessons, and spending time with family and friends. Althea Park House has been so transformative for me and I am now excited to live my life.

*Image changed