Activities at Atherleigh Park
Staying as an inpatient at a mental health hospital can be a difficult experience. Providing patients with meaningful activities does not just provide structure to the day, but can also reduce stress, frustration, boredom, and feelings of loneliness or isolation.
They can also help patients to develop valuable life skills which can be used once they move on to their home environment following a stay in hospital.
Stephen Cox, Claire Byron and Sue Gallagher are Activity Coordinators at Atherleigh Park Hospital in Leigh. They are part of a team which is made up of a variety of different roles including Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapists, Physical Health & Exercise Assistant Practitioner and Therapy Assistants.
Together, they offer a varied timetable of activities for patients which allows for time off the wards and the opportunity to mix with other people from different areas of the hospital. They also run therapeutic group sessions and individual therapy sessions on the wards.
The Therapy Hub is a relaxing and calming space which helps with any feelings of anxiety or worry. It’s one of the areas that patients from different wards can meet one another in a safe space.
Therapy Hub at Atherleigh Park
Regular arts and crafts sessions take place under the heading ‘Recovery Through Art’ and allow patients to express themselves in a variety of creative ways to help foster an atmosphere of hope and optimism.
A collage on the wall of the arts and crafts room
Physical health sessions also help patients in a variety of different areas, such as: reducing or stopping smoking, musculoskeletal injuries, frailty, or weight management.
Each Friday is a cooking demonstration where Sue Gallagher demonstrates how to cook a popular dish and lets patients know where they can get the ingredients from.
Favourites such as egg fried rice are prepared and enjoyed with the added knowledge of the patients being able to reproduce the dish, at a low cost following their stay in hospital.
Not only is this a useful life skill to have, but cooking with in a budget is essential during the cost-of-living crisis.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. To find out about the support offered in the Wigan Borough, visit: www.gmmh.nhs.uk/wigan-services , or speak with your GP. A 24/7 mental health crisis helpline is also available free of charge, day or night, 365 days a year, on 0800 953 0285.
