Step Down

Step Down is a 9-5 support service

We’re a 9-5 service supporting clients with practical living skills including cooking, cleaning, and shopping. We help with budgeting and make onward referrals to specialist support if needed. We also help with managing benefits. For example, we will help with applications for universal credit and personal independent payments (PIP).

Alongside this practical help, we offer emotional support helping to build people’s confidence and resilience to reconnect back into their communities. Supporting clients to make strong community links is a vital part of their recovery and helps people to avoid going back into hospital.

Client experience

One of our clients Colin said:

 

“I have been here for two weeks. I was unsure what to expect when I arrived, I was full of anxiety. Whilst being here I have felt safe and able to discuss any issues that I have. The staff here are all amazing, kind and compassionate. They are all willing to help with any tasks when I need it. I am lucky to have found this place.”

Community support

Set up in June 2020, Step Down became part of the Open Mental Health alliance in June 2023, part of NHS Somerset’s transformation of mental health services across the county. A key aim of the restructuring was to create a system which avoids hospital admission by supporting people to create strong connections back into their communities. Step Down has an important role in this work helping people to make the transition from hospital back home to be as smooth as possible.

Client experience

One of our clients Simon said:

 

“The Step Down Service has quite literally saved my life. I cannot fully express how supported, safe, and secure I feel. My time with the service has given me the time, help, and resources I needed to completely rework every aspect of my life. The staff are, without exception, deeply caring, thoughtful, and helpful, showing me the utmost personal respect and never crossing the line into interference.

 

It is an incredible service that I was referred to while in psychiatric care and facing life on the streets for the first time at age 50. It took me weeks before I believed that I could start moving forward without the threat of homelessness. They have helped me in so many ways, from guiding me through the process of Housing, PIP, and Disability Living Allowance to just being there to talk me through a dark patch. I can never repay them for what they have done for me. They have given me the skills, support, and stability to rebuild my life from scratch. Totally judgement-free assistance from a small, caring, and friendly team. This has been such a life-changing experience for me. For the first time in maybe six years, I can see a bright future. I cannot thank the organisation and the fabulous team enough. Thank you, guys!”

Contacting Step Down

Step Down is located in Wells and Yeovil. In Wells, we share our location with Rethink, who run Keward House. In Yeovil, we share our location with both Rethink and Mind. Please make sure you are contacting the Step Down service rather than the other services co-located with us. Please talk to your healthcare professional to ensure you have the right contact details.

Referrals

Step Down clients come from across Somerset.  Referrals and transfers are made directly from Somerset Foundation Trust’s hospital ward teams electronically via the Urgent Care Hub. We work closely with these teams as well as the Trust’s community mental health and home treatment teams. We also have strong relationships with adult social care and the housing team at Somerset Council.

Should you feel that you or someone you care for would benefit from this service then we encourage you to discuss this with your family and/or your keyworker who will be able to make a referral on their behalf.