How Calvert Reconnections’ new approach to brain injury rehabilitation is transforming lives

In one of the most innovative developments in the ABI field for decades, a groundbreaking new rehabilitation service in the Lake District is delivering life-changing outcomes for participants.

Calvert Reconnections is a unique residential neuro-rehabilitation centre for people with post-acute ABI. The centre delivers cognitive and physical rehabilitation strategies alongside daily living and vocational skills within the local community.

Since Calvert Reconnections opened in June 2021, individual client results have been quite remarkable in terms of physical improvement, personal sense of wellbeing and a return to independent living.

“We deliver individualised rehabilitation opportunities enabling each person to reach their potential while having a different rehabilitation experience,” explained Claire Appleton, Head of Service at Calvert Reconnections. “Our programme aims to maximise the participant’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical and psychological well-being facilitating recovery and independence.

“With a view towards life back in the community for each participant we also provide aspects of the rehabilitation programme where needed around self-care and work, with opportunities for increasing self-care skills and work-based placements.”

WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES

Calvert Reconnections, which is part of the Lake District Calvert Trust, actively seeks to incorporate a wide range of outdoor activities into each participant’s rehabilitation programme. This may range from reflective activities such as fishing, bird watching or a nature walk to higher adventure activities such as horse riding, canoeing, rock-climbing and abseiling - all closely assessed and graded to a person’s interests and functional abilities.

Importantly, participants are involved in every aspect of the activities they undertake. They complete meaningful tasks, from concept to completion, in a real-world setting.

Amongst the abundance of facilities available to participants is the Lake District Calvert Trust Riding Centre, a British Horse Society approved riding school which offers riding and carriage driving for people of all abilities.

Equine activities are tailored to the participant’s individual rehabilitation programme and delivered by qualified instructors working closely with the centre’s clinicians.

The same principles apply at the centre’s indoor pool where significant investment has seen an underwater treadmill and underwater balance obstacle course installed as part of a wide-ranging aquatic therapy programme.

At a more sedate pace, Reconnections also has a dedicated therapy garden, providing a wide-range of horticulture therapeutic benefits.

EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL OUTCOMES

Evidence-based clinical outcome measures are used to assess and monitor the participant’s progress. Clinicians also use their own objective and standardised professional assessments to inform clinical decision making and any other assessments relevant to the individual’s needs.

It is well-known that that physical exercise reinforces the adaptive processes of the brain post injury: helping the brain ‘scaffold’ to compensate for damage. It also improves people’s mental health, outlook and wellbeing.

Outdoor activities have also been demonstrated to improve people’s understanding of themselves and their abilities, post brain injury, with long-lasting benefits.

Additionally, group work and a social environment have been identified as key factors in recovery after an ABI.

UNIQUE INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM

Calvert Reconnections is located at Old Windebrowe in Keswick, a Grade II listed Tithebarn and one-time home of Lakeland’s most famous poets, William Wordsworth.

The centre has undergone a £1.4 million transformation but retains its character and real-life setting.

Delivering 24-hour rehabilitation programmes, the Reconnections team includes:

Neuro rehab coaches delivering individualised rehabilitation programmes.

Neuro-occupational therapists empowering people to overcome barriers and maximising recovery and adaptation.

Neuro-physiotherapist using a variety of treatment techniques to promote mobility, function, and quality of life. Neuro-psychologists assessing and treating across all areas of cognitive function and behavioural changes.

Speech and language therapist supporting our participants with a variety of speech, language and communication difficulties to maximise all forms of communication.

PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK AND OUTCOMES

In recent months, participants at Calvert Reconnections have talked about the transformational impact of the programme. Referrals from brain injury case managers and solicitors have also continued apace.

Talking about the life-changing impact of his stay at Reconnections, Scott said:

“I had a serious motorcycle accident involving my bike and a fire engine - and I lost.

“I suffered a serious bleed on the brain, but I’m fighting back.

“I didn’t expect to be able to take part in all the activities but I’ve proved myself wrong.

“Calvert Reconnections has turned my life around. I feel fitter both mentally and physically. It’s helping me to live a better life.”