Kim Thomas

I am manger of the Crisis Recovery Unit which is based in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. The team consists of qualified mental health nurses, support mental health nurses, occupational therapists and occupational therapy technicians. Clients are referred to our service via the North and South Crisis Teams, all clients are in acute mental health crisis and are deemed to be on the point of hospital admission or have been considered as early discharge patients from the inpatient setting.

The unit offers a seven day a week service for 363 days per year and clients attend from 10.00 am to 15.30 pm. During this time, they are supported in a person-centred way to meet their own values based goals that will enable them to explore their own personalised recovery journey. The unit offers one to one psychological interventions that are based on a compassion focussed approach to recovery. The unit also offers sign posting to third sector organisations that will continue to support clients after discharge from the unit.

Our work at the unit is extremely rewarding, to support clients who are feeling so adrift and then to see them regain their lives is truly inspiring. I am passionate about the unit and also rather protective, I feel the relaxed environment allows clients to gain confidence and to feel empowered. I am very excited about this wonderful opportunity to become an Inspire Improvement Fellow, I know that the team as a whole are going to grow and develop and to enable us to work more effectively and collaboratively, to offer a more enhanced package of support to all who are referred to our unit.

For more information, contact: [email protected]