Challenge Trust provides 24-hour high level residential care and support through its Intensive Rehabilitation Services (ISR) for female and male consumers. Challenge Trust’s ISR residential services are located the Auckland region.
Challenge Trust works collaboratively with the Mental Health Clinical Teams, clients and other organisations to ensure a safe transition into the services.
Clients referred to Challenge Trust are between 17 and 65 years old and the criteria for accessing Intensive Rehabilitation Services are determined by the contractual obligations Challenge Trust has with the District Health Boards.
Challenge Trust supports clients accessing services in the wider community. Challenge Trust staff also work closely with the clinical teams, Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ), Residential Support, Stepping Stones, Edge Employment and many others. Challenge Trust employs well-skilled and trained staff that provide intense and therapeutic recovery programmes.
An Inside View
Working in an ISR service is a fantastically rewarding job. Staff are constantly working with people who have exceptionally high and complex needs, who also have the capacity to recover. Every time we see them make small improvements it helps us carry on working as hard as we can to continue making a difference.
People often come into our ISR services after being discharged from hospital. Over a period of time, they gradually increase their ability to look after themselves and eventually start studying or find employment. Ultimately we get to see people moving back into their own homes in the community which is absolutely fantastic.
What also makes a difference is being part of such a great team. Everybody in the team really cares and feels strongly about helping others and also each other. You can always find someone willing to help out, cover your shift or support you when things are tough.
I also like the fact that we get to work with the DHB’s and other community groups so we get to make a lot of contacts. It is great to learn from these people who have so much experience and knowledge regarding mental illness and treatments.
A Success Story: Jonathan’s Journey
Early in 2005 Jonathan was referred to Challenge’s ISR service after an extended time spent as an in-patient at Taharoto Acute Mental Health Unit and Buchanan Clinic. Jonathan’s excessive consumption of alcohol contributed to his becoming mentally unstable, including physically-aggressive behaviour towards family members.
While being a resident in Challlenge Trust’s residential services, Jonathan worked with staff to identify goals and to achieve those goals. He learned new cooking skills, attended a tramping group, attended a walking group, gained work experience, became independent with medication and successfully lost weight. Jonathan also gained work experience at a nearby botanical garden and was supported in obtaining his Learners Driving License. Throughout this time, Jonathan re-established contact with his family.
At the end of 2006, Jonathan made it known that he was ready to live independently in the community and was supported by the ISR staff to access a flat through Housing New Zealand. While waiting for a flat to become available he worked with staff to identify small household items he would need and saved for and purchased these prior to moving.
Jonathan finally moved into an independent flat in June 2007. He was originally provided with a package of care service by another agency, but after a reassessment was successful in having his package of support provided by Challenge Trust in March 2008. Since this time, Jonathan has gained his Restricted Driving License and has taken driving lessons to increase his confidence. He has also started part-time employment and is now saving to purchase a car.
Jonathan acknowledges the effect of alcohol on his mental state in the past and now only drinks on a social basis. He has maintained a healthy relationship with members of his family and lives near the residential services and is comfortable approaching staff there if support is required.
The residential ISR staff believe that Challenge Trust’s Recovery Model and continued support have helped Jonathan to gain an independent lifestyle that has been beneficial for his continued recovery.
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