Our Guests

Guests

Guests who stay at Kyrie Therapeutic Farm are anticipated to stay an average of 6 months.


Guests who come to Kyrie Therapeutic Farm will likely need more support and structure than available as an outpatient and where other inpatient mental health hospital / facilities may not be appropriate.


The therapeutic farm will accommodate up to 40 Guests. Guests will be referred by their GPs or consultants and be paid for via their health insurers, HSE and privately. These approvals and relationships are still in development and yet to be agreed.


There will be step-down programmes in place for guests that will link to housing charities such as Gain as well as an employment network.

Who it's suitable for

The therapeutic farm will embody an ethos of openness to people with a range of difficulties and mental health problems. It is important to note that the farm operates as a community rehabilitation residence in the HSE frame work alongside Inpatient care and Specialised Rehabilitation Units. We are not “an approved centre” under the Mental Health Act and as such do not hold the authority to detain people against their will. We operate an inclusive and explicitly non-coersive service shaped by collaboration and cooperation, in the least restrictive way possible. This is aligned with World Health Organisation 1996 guidance on least restrictive practice: Provision of the Least Restrictive Type of Mental Health Care, Self-Determination, Right to be Assisted in the Exercise of Self-Determination.


While we do not operate a diagnostically led intervention format, we are open to people with all major mental health diagnoses. Our determination of suitability for care is shaped primarily by a persons ability to engage safely in the commitments of farm life given the severity of their difficulties during initial assessment. We also consider information relevant to peoples’ potential for recovery and always seek to be inclusive in recognition of this potential.



Who is it not suitable for


The primary reason we consider the farm not suitable is when a higher level of service provision is deemed essential for safe care to be delivered. No violence is tolerated from anyone on the farm. 




Outcomes

Therapeutic Farms in the US have been shown to reduce levels of psychiatric symptoms, lower readmissions, while increasing levels of independent living, increased levels of employment and lower costs of mental health care.


The Global Assessment of Functioning measures (GAF), as adopted by Hopewell Farm show marked improvements for guests including reducing negative symptoms and increasing social functioning. 


Gould Farm adopts longer terms measures and can demonstrate a doubling of independent living capability (from 35% of guests prior to admission to 63% after), and major shifts in paid employment (from 14% of guests to 81% after).



The research philosophy adopted by Kyrie Therapeutic Farm will include service audit, and service user feedback to shape service provision and developments. We will adopt a range of outcome measures chosen to reflect both the goals of the farm and the needs of individual clients.


Referral Process


Referral to our service includes discussion with referral agents, family members, and the guest themselves to ensure a clear understanding is reached of what is expected and what can be hoped for.

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