Perspectives of day and accommodation services for people with enduring mental illness

Abstract

Background: This qualitative study analysed user, carer and staff perspectives on day and accommodation services for people with enduring mental illness in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Method: Twelve focus groups, attended by 95 participants, were conducted by the independent research team and the data collected were subject to constant comparative analysis. Findings: Practical and strategic recommendations were generated for the funding agency. Day services were valued highly for preventing relapse and promoting independence. Users sought a more active role in developing opportunities in day and accommodation services and staff were believed to hold a pivotal role in offering ongoing support. Conclusions: In the area studied, facilitating discharge, managing risk and meeting shelter needs had been emphasised at the expense of user empowerment and access to meaningful occupation. Day and accommodation services enable users with enduring mental illness to achieve stability and increase independence, but are currently under-resourced and undermined by wider service pressures.