A Lake District charity has developed the UK’s first COVID-19 compliant brain injury rehabilitation programme combining traditional interdisciplinary clinical therapies with physical activity in the outdoors.
Located on the outskirts of the bustling market town of Keswick in the Lake District, Calvert Reconnections, run by the Lake District Calvert Trust, is a brand new neuro-rehabilitation, residential centre providing ground-breaking rehabilitation programmes for those who have suffered an acquired brain injury.
The centre, based at Grade II listed Tithe Barn, ‘Old Windebrowe’, one-time home of Lakeland’s most famous of poets, William Wordsworth, is now taking referrals in advance of its September opening.
There is considerable support from medical research for the notion that outdoor activity is beneficial to brain injury rehabilitation.
With its focus on outdoor activities, Calvert Reconnections is uniquely placed to incorporate social distancing into its programme through activities such as rambling, fell walking, fishing, gardening, horse riding, orienteering, cycling, canoeing and sailing.
The centre’s residential and communal facilities are fully compliant with COVID-19 guidelines while newly developed services include post lockdown respite and post COVID-19 step down rehabilitation.
A highly experienced consultant neurologist and consultant in rehabilitation medicine, over the last 30 years Professor Mike Barnes has been dedicated to the development of neurological rehabilitation throughout the UK and internationally.
He believes rehabilitation provision has been driven to crisis point by COVID-19 with services facing disruption and closure due to social distancing, shielding requirements, lack of specialist support and funding.
“This ground breaking new programme, combining traditional interdisciplinary clinical therapies with physical activity in the outdoors, will put the UK at the forefront of brain injury rehabilitation on a global scale – because rehab won’t wait,” said Professor Barnes, who acts as an expert advisor to Calvert Reconnections.
Commenting on the opening of Calvert Reconnections, Centre Director Sean Day said: “Our centre was already unique in that it was the UK’s first intensive acquired brain injury rehabilitation programme combining traditional interdisciplinary clinical therapies with physical activity in the outdoors.
“Since lockdown, we have further developed our programme to ensure it sets a global benchmark for brain injury rehabilitation, delivering a ground-breaking, world-class rehabilitation programme tailored to support individuals in their recovery.”
The team at Calvert Reconnections includes highly experienced and qualified activity instructors, neuro rehab coaches, an occupational therapist, neuro-physiotherapist and a consultant neuropsychologist.
Programmes will be developed with the individual based on clinical evidence and research guidance while a variety of physical activity, including outdoor adventure, will be available. Every programme will include realistic personal goals, utilising evidence-based validated outcome measures to monitor progress. The programme aims to not only improve physical and psychological well-being, but also increase self-confidence and independence.
The crisis facing rehabilitation services has come into sharp focus in recent months.
Last month, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) gathered support of MPs from across the UK’s political spectrum for its call for the Health Secretary to prioritise rehabilitation for those affected by COVID-19, with Chief Executive Julia Scott predicting “a tidal wave of need”.
An earlier pre COVID-19 report by Calvert Reconnections and barristers Exchange Chambers also revealed how the recovery prospects of brain injured patients in the UK are being jeopardised by a chronic lack of resources.
Calvert Reconnection services:
Acquired Brain Injury Neuro-Rehabilitation
Providing post-acute residential assessment and rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injury, Calvert Reconnections provides unique individualised rehabilitation opportunities utilising the outdoors, to maximise recovery
and develop positive management strategies to create sustainable change.
To effectively enable participants to make sustainable physical and cognitive improvements and establish effective management strategies, it is recommended that participants will engage with the Calvert Reconnections Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation program for 3-6 months.
Referral criteria:
- Individual has an acquired brain injury.
- Desire to engage in an outdoor activity focused rehabilitation programme.
- Medically stable.
- 18 years +.
- Consent to brain injury rehabilitation at a residential service.
- Funding for a residential placement has been approved.
- Onward plans in place prior to the commencement of the rehabilitation programme.
It is also imperative that participants are:
- Confirmed COVID-19 negative at admission.
- Able to follow and respect social distancing rules with minimal support, both indoors and outdoors.
- Assessed needs are able to be supported with the skills and experience of the new Calvert Reconnections team.
Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation
Health professionals are observing a range of respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychological deficits in individuals who have received hospital treatment for the COVID-19 and the number requiring rehabilitation is growing rapidly.
It is critical that these people have access to rehabilitation in order to have the best possible chance of maximising their recovery.
The full extent of the rehabilitation needs of people recovering from COVID-19 are not yet known, however, it is predicted that 4% of people will require rehabilitation in a residential setting.
Calvert Reconnections will liaise with the acute rehabilitation service provider as the assessment and transfer information they share will be crucial to a smooth transition and continued effective rehabilitation.
The team will then continue the interdisciplinary assessment and develop an individualised rehabilitation plan to support a person’s recovery and transition back to their own home.
It is anticipated that the period of Calvert Reconnections’ post COVID-19 rehabilitation will be between 2-8 weeks on average but this may be extended depending upon the complexity of rehabilitation needs.
Post Lockdown Recovery and Restoration
The COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown has had a significant impact on everyone’s daily lives.
During this time, many people have been bored, frustrated or lonely and may have affected their mental wellbeing by feeling low, worried, anxious, or concern about their own health or that of those close to them.
Calvert Reconnections will provide a shared respite period for carers and participants together – or they may prefer a period apart having spent much time together recently. Taking advantage of the stunning Lake District landscape, we will run a wide variety of supported activities.
This service will be a real benefit for people to have a positive mental and physical wellbeing experience for 2-3 weeks to recover from the recent worry and turmoil. We know that life may well continue to be difficult but addressing and maintaining good mental health will support longer term personal resilience.
https://www.calvertreconnections.org.uk/ opens in September 2020 and is now taking referrals – https://www.calvertreconnections.org.uk/referrals/
