Leicester City Support Opening Of New Mental Health Facility
- The Beacon is a new £8m mental health facility for young people
- Centre is based at Glenfield Hospital and will offer a safe environment for inpatients and their families
- LCFC fans donated funds to build a new Astro Turf sports pitch at the site
Situated on the Glenfield Hospital site, The Beacon is Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s (LPT) state-of-the-art, purpose built £8M mental health facility for young people, who this week welcomed their first inpatients.
Co-designed by staff from LPT’s specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) and young people, The Beacon offers a safe, welcoming and positive environment for individuals who need mental health inpatient care, supporting them, and their families, on the journey to recovery.
The facility has 15 beds, an increase on the current 10-bed provision, and in future will be able to offer care for young people with eating disorders who require an inpatient stay. Young people have previously had to go out of the local area for this specialist care.
As part of the opening, LCFC supporters, through the The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, donated funds to LPT to help them build an Astro Turf sports pitch, which will be used for a range of activities from five-a-side games to yoga and meditation.
Susan Whelan, Leicester City’s Chief Executive and a trustee of the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, said: “As a Club, we really care about helping our local community, who do so much to support us too. We are proud to have entered into a new partnership with LPT to help promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, which is an issue for many young people.
“I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to fund the outside sporting area at The Beacon, and we very much hope that it will help promote recovery. On behalf of LCFC, I’d like to wish the CAMHS staff and young inpatients all the best as they move into their new facility.”
The Beacon has individual, en suite bedrooms, rather than dormitory style accommodation, while it also has facilities for Leicester Hospital School as well as sensory rooms, quiet lounge areas, clinic rooms and an outside garden and sports area.
Helen Thompson, Director of Families, Young People and Children’s Services at LPT said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to welcome our first inpatients to The Beacon. From the outset, our vision has been to ensure the voice of the young person is at the heart of the care provided here, which is why involving them in the building’s look and feel was so important.
“The Beacon’s location in Leicester, right in the centre of the East Midlands, and the fact that we are now able to offer 15 beds rather than 10, means that more young people will be able to be treated closer to home. The building is surrounded by greenery and flooded with light. It’s a wonderful environment that will really support recovery.”
The facility is close to other mental health facilities such as the Bradgate Mental Health Unit, and Langley Ward at the Bennion Centre which provides inpatient and day care for adults with eating disorders.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to an official opening ceremony being postponed until the New Year, however a virtual tour of the site is available, with further information on the Trust website.