Launch of new Detox and Rehab Unit in Heswall, Wirral

On Tuesday 4th April 2023 Kaleidoscope launched Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope House.

Over 100 people accepted invitations to attend the launch and we were blessed with a sunny day! Our visitors included Wirral Council, local Councillors, The Mayor, Change Grow Live, Wirral Ways, Police, North Wales organisations, Commissioners, Prison, Probation, Smart Recovery, Adferiad, Gwent Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service, Dechrau Newydd, Wirral Veterans, Heswall Methodist Reverend, Heswall Magazine Editor, BBC Radio, Liverpool Echo Journalist and many more. Our CEO Martin Blakebrough gave a speech and thanked all involved in the lead up to the launch and our Chair of the Board Danny cut the ribbon for the official opening. We also had the opportunity to meet locals of Heswall in the afternoon and give them a tour. We had a great day taking people on tours around the new multi purpose building.

Birchwood Residential Treatment Centre in Birkenhead has been operational under our management since 2016. The latest CQC inspection rated us as Good. We have successfully managed over 2400 medically managed detoxes for some of the most clinically complex people in the UK. The building in Birkenhead provided challenges with the lack of space and quality of facilities, and Kaleidoscope decided to invest in a new purpose-built building in Heswall, maintaining our presence in the Wirral.

Kaleidoscope finalised the purchase in June 2022, and proceeded with a complete refurbishment of the previously vacant property. Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope House is a modern, purpose-built, care facility, built 16 years ago and is located on 9.2 acres of rural land. The relocation opens up a host of opportunities to improve the range of benefits provided to service users and society as a whole, including a full rehabilitation service.

Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope House will be a medically managed Inpatient treatment centre that delivers exceptional specialised healthcare services to those with highly complex needs. The additional space means we will be now able to offer an enhanced rehabilitation experience for 25 persons on modern single occupancy en-suite rooms for those receiving detox and rehab treatment.

Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope House can treat people with mental health needs, social needs, drug and alcohol detoxification specialising in assessment and treatment for those with complex dual diagnosis needs. It will focus on both physical and mental well-being activities. Once established, these are planned to include activities in nature, gardening, animal therapy, conservation, growing fruit and vegetables, memory gardens, running, fishing, ice baths, walking, football matches, cooking, reading and more. The site also provides a multi-sports pitch and wellness room, with a walking/cycle path and costal walks adjacent. Kaleidoscope are making plans with local community services to work together.

There is so much potential for the future and we at Kaleidoscope hope to see not just an improved service user experience but an improved way of working for our staff who work so hard to improve the lives of many.

Local Democracy Journalist Edward Barnes joined us for the morning and spoke with some of the staff from Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope House. He interviewed both Katy and Gary who are staff who have lived experience of substance use, who have engaged with Birchwood as clients and been through their own recovery journeys. At Kaleidoscope we feel it is vitally important to have staff and peers with lived experienced working with us and alongside us. To read the article published in The Liverpool Echo please visit: Those who struggled with addiction for years now helping people like them – Liverpool Echo

If you would like to find out more information about Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope house please contact Manager Jo or Mike to speak about referrals. The contact details for referrals are:

01516700033
mike.wolfe@kaleidoscope68.org
Josephine.moore@kaleidoscope68.org