About Aspinden Care Home

Aspinden is a friendly, vibrant and homely living environment. The service specialises in providing care and support for people affected by alcohol dependency and resistant to changing their drinking behaviour.

Aspinden operates according to the Five Ways to Well-being and provides a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) within a Harm Reduction approach to create a safe, healing environment focused on positive experiences and compassion.

Trauma-Informed Care underpins the support we provide. All nursing and clinical staff provide Trauma-Informed Care and apply Compassion Focused Therapy principles to work with multiple disadvantages and needs. We work closely with each resident through a tailored Care Plan that recognises their physical and mental health needs.

Staff monitor residents’ alcohol intake daily to ensure safe consumption, covering all aspects of privacy, dignity, security, choice, aspirations and rights.

Service contact details

Meet some of the team

Janina Ruszczynska

Service Manager

Janina has over 12 years experience working with vulnerable adults with multiple needs, including physical disabilities, mental health and complex needs, substance use, autism, learning disabilities, and end-of-life.
Janina has worked in various settings, including CQC registered residential nursing homes, supported living and floating support services across London and Surrey. Janina’s biggest passion is supporting people to achieve their goals.

Ezechukwu Ibe

Deputy Manager

Eze has worked in adult health and social care since 2014 and in management and leadership since 2019. He is passionate about adult social care and has particular interests working with people with substance use disorders, and achieving positive outcomes through person-centred care. In his own words, "Giving people a second chance is a big driver for me".

Muriel Gutu

Clinical Lead

Muriel is a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Independent Nurse Prescriber and liaises with the Medical Team and Recovery Team, ensuring clinical governance is at the heart of Aspinden Care Home's clinical offering.

Michaela Smart

Personal Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

Michaela is involved in all aspects of the running of Aspinden and has over ten years experience in management and leadership and supervising teams. She is passionate about residents' well-being and is excellent at supporting multiple needs in an adult care setting, working closely to ensure person-centred care is delivered.

  • Our Approach

    Our Approach

    A Harm Minimisation Approach is adopted, focusing on working with residents to manage their alcohol intake within agreed limits whilst encouraging and enabling a healthier lifestyle, improved diet, and self-care.

    Whilst the goal of abstinence is never a requirement, the Person-Centred Approach, alongside tools, including the Drug and Alcohol Star in key working, is successful in supporting many residents to achieve abstinence and successfully move on, whilst enabling others to reduce the harm caused by alcohol use and lifestyle choices.

  • Referral Process

    Referral Process

    We receive enquiries from local authorities, drug and alcohol services, and organisations located all over the UK.

    Once an enquiry comes in, we send information about our service with a referral form. Alternatively, you can complete our online referral form and email the rest of the documents via: enquiries.ach@equinoxcare.org.uk


    Referral form



  • Information required for client referrals

    Information required for client referrals

    1. Completed Referral Form
    2. Care Plan
    3. Risk Assessment
    4. CPA Report (Care Programme Approach) if applicable
    5. Contingency Plan
  • Arrival

    Arrival

    As a 24-hour service, we can admit after hours, but we recommend people arrive between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm for admission. Upon arrival, staff greet new residents warmly and take them to our Admission Room.

    Everyone is Covid tested and assessed, and clinical observations are recorded. We give new residents a tour of the facilities and building and shown them to their private rooms to settle in.

  • Activities

    Activities

    As a service, we provide a range of activities from days out to exercise classes, massage therapy and movie nights. We also offer additional 1-2-1 activities on request.

    Activities offer residents the opportunity to improve their general health and wellbeing. They also enhance many aspects of their personal lives by building self-esteem and confidence, reducing tension and anxiety, creating space for social interactions, and encouraging social skills, which help increase life satisfaction.

  • Unique Community

    Unique Community

    Our team of Personal Health and Wellbeing Practitioners come from all walks of life and backgrounds to provide the best care possible. Residents have a private room with towels, bedding and storage space. We encourage participation in maintaining a homely environment. Aspinden provides lounge areas, a communal kitchen, a TV room, a laundry room, and food is available 24 hours a day through an in-house chef team.

  • Moving On

    Moving On

    There is no time limit on a resident’s stay at Aspinden, Some stay with us permanently. However, we actively support moving residents on based on their needs as they progress during their stay with us. We work on a case-to-case basis, always with resident’s best interests at heart.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

Do you accept referrals from any Local Authority?

Yes, we accept referrals from any Local Authority in the UK.

Have an enquiry?

Get in touch by email to speak to a member of our team enquiries.ach@equinoxcare.org.uk