Community Mental Health Services: Henry Smith House and South-West Hertfordshire
Community Mental Health Services: Henry Smith House and South-West Hertfordshire
Guideposts’ supportive community working from our Hub in Watford, we work with people living with mental health conditions to improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and help people to find a greater purpose in life.
Current Status: We are welcoming new members.
How our community mental health services work
We offer support in many different formats including group and social activities, physical activities, 1:1 support and crisis management, courses, outreach support, peer (client-led) support, and support for carers. Encompassing it all is a supportive community who will help you manage your mental health condition.
While our main hub is in Watford, we also have activities in Garston, Rickmansworth, Borehamwood, South Oxhey and Potters Bar.
All support is carefully tailored to people’s individual needs and aspirations to enable you to manage your condition, reach recovery and build resilience. We base this on the Star recovery model, where each individual sets goals jointly with their link worker during Star sessions.
The extensive and varied programme both at Henry Smith House and in surrounding towns offers social interaction, support, skills training and fun!
What activities are on offer?
There are many groups meeting at Henry Smith House every day, as well as our outreach groups. Activities on offer are very diverse ranging from social opportunities to therapeutic and training courses. They can include:
- Social groups where we might go out for meals or coffee, go bowling or for a walk, or enjoy film or music with others.
- Specialist groups including Asian women, “Young at Herts”, Men’s and Women’s groups, help us address issues in a space of common understanding
- Support around BME and LGBT issues
- Peer support (member-led) groups which can be anything from a book club to Hearing Voices groups
- Carers Support – groups for carers to support each other through sharing their experiences and gaining tips from others in the group.
- Creative sessions such as art and crafts, an opportunity to express your creative side
- Exercise groups including walking, football, badminton and gym, to enjoy some healthy activity and get the post-exercise lift
- Mind and body exercises such as Yoga and Mindfulness to help you find techniques for peace of mind and relaxation
- Gardening at our allotment where we have fun with growing, tending, and just being around plants with a friendly group
- Keep Calm and Carry On – managing anxiety and stress
Regular activities include:
Watford – Henry Smith House Activities
Orbital Outreach Group
Day & Time: Mondays, 2pm – 4pm
A different activity each week, drawing on the variety that take place at Henry Smith House.
Currently meeting at Henry Smith House while our usual venue is unavailable.
Rickmansworth Outreach Group
Day & Time: Tuesdays 2-4pm and Thursdays, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
On Tuesdays the group meets for indoor games and activities at Rickmansworth Baptist Church, and on Thursdays we meet at different venues around the town for walks, coffee & chat, and other community-based activities.
Borehamwood Outreach Group
Day & Time: Fridays, 1pm – 3pm
We meet at Maxwell Community Centre, for a different activity each week drawing on the variety that take place at Henry Smith House
Potters Bar / Watford Social Group (Befriending Scheme)
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 12pm – 1pm
South Oxhey Social Group (Befriending Scheme)
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 3-4pm
Borehamwood Social Group (Befriending Scheme)
Day & Time: Wednesdays, 1.30-3.00pm
Aspirations
A social group for people diagnosed with high functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome. Have a meal and a drink while completing a quiz (to help us have something to talk about). Meet new friends and learn socialising skills with others who also find socialising difficult.
When: 2nd Friday of each month, 12.10-2.10pm
Address: The Southern Cross, 41-43 Langley Road, Watford WD17 4PP
Art & Start, Borehamwood and online
A group for anyone interested in appreciating, discussing and creating art.
Day & Time: Wednesday, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Address: Maxwell Community Centre, Borehamwood WD6 1JJ, and on Zoom
Who can we support?
We support adults with mental health conditions including anxiety, OCD, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar, as well as phobias and behavioural disorders.
Whether you are looking for some activities to keep you on top of your wellbeing, or working towards a specific goal or a certain skill, we can help you with your aims.
Why should I join?
Becoming part of our community gives you support to get more from life. Our groups not only bring structure to your day and something to look forward to, but also help you to explore and develop your skills and interests.
There are many different ways to support living with a mental health condition, and you will have the chance to find out what works for you. We always welcome requests too, if you’re interested in something that isn’t already on our programme.
Henry Smith House is above all a friendly and supportive community. The support of our staff and other members of the services will help you overcome difficulties. Overall, we will help you feel better: more confident, less isolated, more active and more able to manage your condition.
”Attending your Moving Forward course gave me confidence to support and work with peers to explore ideas and discuss sensitive issues.”
Andrew, Borehamwood
“I wouldn’t have got this far without Guideposts. They understand people with life-long conditions”
Key Info
Day & Time: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Address: 3-5 Estcourt Rd, Watford WD17 2PT
Contact number: 01923 223 554
Email: [email protected]
Email Us Download Referral Form
How to join?
You can apply to join us through self-referral or through HPFT community mental health and other health & social care professionals.
We’ll get in touch to arrange a time to meet or talk on the phone to discuss how the service might work for you and answer any questions you have. You may be able to come and visit to get a taster of what we do. If we decide together that joining Guideposts Community Mental Health services would be right for you, we’ll then work with you on a support plan, and set some goals to make the most of your time with us.
Can you Help?
Would you like to volunteer with one of our groups? If you enjoy talking to people, have a hobby or skill to share, or want to develop your skills, please get in touch.
