Praise for The Haven Project:
“I was always impressed by the Haven Project and believed it to be one of the best treatment options for Personality Disorder.”
Dr Beta Paskova, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Severe Personality Disorder Unit at Springbank, Fullbourne Hospital in Cambridge
“The project has been doing some exceptional work.”
Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies
“The Chief Constable is very supportive of the important service you provide in helping to reduce reoffending rates in Essex.”
The Chief Constable’s Office in reply to appeal.
“Without facilities such as the Haven, people with severe personality disorder will go back to being marginalised, excluded and with no access to appropriate clinical provision.”
Dr Rex Haigh, Consultant Psychiatrist in Medical Psychotherapy; Project Lead Enabling Environments, Royal College of Psychiatrists Centre for Quality Improvement.
Our Client Feedback:
“It’s a place I feel safe when the world feels like it is crumbling around me.”
THP Client
“I do Life Skills and Wellbeing groups and also the one day at the weekend. I have learnt a good bit from these groups. I try to practice what I have learnt. Life is now getting back on track and I am beginning to feel well.”
Gary B, Client
“My mental state was poor and I was at a loss what to do. The Haven has helped me on many occasions; if it were not for the support I have had, I don’t think I would be here today and my children would have been without their mother.”
Beverley H, Client
“Before the Haven I had nothing, I could not go out, I could not get on a bus or a train. I was unable to cope with life at all, but now I can and life is good again.”
Val D, Client
“I am coming to the end of a very difficult year of severe problems and near breakdowns; I have been grateful for the support and help from The Haven Project Staff and Clients, with their help I am learning to live. I thank you all with all my heart.”
THP Client
“I have found the Haven Project to be invaluable for coping and managing my mental health. The STOP-THINK method is now actively utilised daily.
I feel more in control, managing my intense emotions which can lead to a deterioration of my mental health.
The Haven is a judgement free environment where the exhausting task of masking is not required. It has allowed me to plan, cope and succeed in my daily life- instead of just surviving.”
E.D., Client
“The service has really helped me feel more supported and more confident. Before I started, I felt overwhelmed and alone I felt abandoned as I had my diagnosis and then didn’t know anything about it.
The Haven introduced me to other people who have similar thoughts and feelings to me that make me feel less alone and weird.
I am going through a break-up now and although it is hard, I have support around me that understands and aren’t judgemental I do not need to call Crisis for help now, and I am not using unhealthy coping mechanisms. I am so pleased I have found the group.”
S.A., Client
“The Haven Project has been 100% fantastic, friendly and helped me a lot. There is not much help like this around, so the Haven Project is really important. I am very grateful for the help and support from the Haven Project. There are many people who need their help, and more awareness would help those in need.”
A.B., Client
“Coming to The Haven has been really beneficial for me for so many reasons. Being able to learn how to cope with intense emotions, unhealthy behaviours through shared understanding has been essential in my self-acceptance and recovery journey.
Being in a room with people who understand the scale of your emotions and be supported is so healing. Both Ashleigh and Pernille have showed up or us each week with a smile and have held loads of space for us to be vulnerable and ask questions.
I have found a real sense of community with the group and don’t want it to end! I have learnt to give myself more patience and kindness and feel better equipped to survive my day-to-day. So much love.”
S.F., Client
“Before attending the Community recovery program, I was struggling immensely with my mental health after two breakdowns and multiple hospital visits without receiving sufficient help or care from the nhs . I didn’t know who, or where to turn to until I was referred on to the Community recovery program.
During my 12 week program, I found it hugely beneficial and extremely accurate with dealing with my mental health conditions (Personality Disorder) going over specialised topics that really helped to deal with issues I faced and provide me with the correct tools to tackle problems; I faced on a daily. I think this program is hugely beneficial and should be available UK wide.
I cannot thank The Haven team enough for their warm kind inviting environment and their educational input on learning how to live with a personality disorder. I really would recommend this service at 10 out of 10. I have not come across another service that has actually helped this well on a practical and educational basis, it really has empowered me with the confidence to know how to deal with my mental health, or who I can turn to if I struggle in the future.
Many thanks again for your amazing program an amazing team.
All my warm wishes.”
E.M., Client
“I arrived at The Haven in Glen Avenue in March 2005, shortly after it had opened. Immediately, I felt welcomed and safe, because of the way the first member of staff I encountered treated me when I stood in the lobby, weeping, like a frightened and lost child. At the time I was dissociating most days, which I later learned was a common symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder (or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as I prefer to call it nowadays). Here was a place that recognised and understood this hard to describe state of being.
My journey of recovery really began at the lifesaving Haven, where finally, aged 50, I was allowed to express my chaotic and difficult feelings and have them validated. I was amongst friends with the same, much maligned, diagnosis as me, which was something to no longer be ashamed of. The sense of belonging I’d looked for all my life was at last achieved.
What we clients learn from our wonderful support workers, we can take out into the wider world and become valued and contributing members of society. The friendship groups, one to one therapeutic sessions, creative activities and self-management skills have built up my resilience and self-confidence greatly.
The Haven has proved that, against the odds, people with our diagnosis can do far more than just about survive: we can actually thrive, given time and the right environment. There’s no way I would have the fulfilling and active life I now enjoy if I hadn’t been nurtured by The Haven.”
F.S., Client