Testimonials

"Frankly, words can't truly express how impressed and grateful we are for what our daughter received whilst in your care. From the moment she came for assessment it was evident that this was a place where the expertise, insight and kindness that form the basis of all you do, were present in bucket loads and were absolutely what is required for the complex, lengthy successful treatment of an eating disorder and related problems. The report we received from the psychologist immediately after this initial assessment, was so accurate and insightful that it made us cry with relief that finally, after five years of metaphorically banging our heads against walls, someone totally understood our daughter's problem and her needs. The gentle, gradual diagnostic and therapeutic process that ensued, has resulted in a recovery that has been beyond our tentative hopes and expectations.

By the time we brought our daughter to the unit she was desperately ill. From that point of admission to the day she was discharged, she and we, as a family, were privileged to receive faultless treatment, at every level and from every member of staff. Without exception. We had regular contact with every member of staff, including the Consultant Psychiatrist, received superb Family Therapy, Nutrition Support and were encouraged to attend excellently run Carers' Group meetings. The sharp contrast to our only previous experience of inpatient treatment made this even more incredible and highly valued. The CBT programme at the unit, with its fully integrated group approach,was absolutely perfect for our girl. It was a tough, challenging journey but, in your unique environment, she received the ongoing attention, therapy and support needed for her to fully access and learn to apply these essential principles and hopefully to maintain their effects on a long term basis. We continue to maintain contact with The Naomi Unit, through Carers' meetings and continue to find these really helpful.

In our opinion, The Retreat - and Naomi unit - are the epitome of what treatment for eating disorders can and ought to be. A centre of excellence to be emulated wherever and whenever possible. We still cannot believe we were lucky enough to have accessed your services and fervently hope that they remain available and funded for those in need, for the foreseeable future. We know, beyond doubt, that, assuming she had been lucky enough to have survived this far,our daughter would still be battling with the illness now, without having received your help.

Every cliché applies, quite honestly. You have given our daughter her life back. You have given us our daughter back. You have provided our family with communication/problem-solving skills which we now use constantly. We can never ever thank you enough." From a Naomi carer

"I successfully graduated from the programme and have not had a relapse since as I was taught how to take responsibility for myself and my problems and to deal with life instead of running away from it literally and figuratively." From Acorn graduate

"It is unbearable to think where we would be without the safe haven that people who work at The Retreat create, helping desperate carers, friends, families and their loved one back onto the road of recovery wherever possible." From a carer

"Hi

My name is O.. and I was a patient at The Retreat for 4½ years.

On my arrival I was very unwell and was very unhappy.

The Retreat is like a primary school and my consultant asked me to tell you about how I found The Retreat when I first came and about the transition I made before discharge.

For a man in his 30s suffering with Schizophrenia and substance misuse problems, I had come from intensive care straight to Hannah Mills, it was very difficult – I hated it. I was very rebellious, I felt I didn't fit in.

As time went on I had a breakdown and the nurse of whom I had rebelled against the most became my saviour.

The Clinical Team Manager used the team's full power to love and support me and terminate my illness. In time I stopped drinking and the drugs went with it and I found that I was able to be the life and soul of the party, but had been fully rehabilitated without feeling the system had beaten me.

It was the 'Primary School' side of The Retreat that protected me while I was ill. I guess what I am trying to tell you is that The Retreat is very good at dealing with challenging behaviour and it stood by me until I turned to them for help.

That's what rehab is for - making sure that people find their feet and move on. I'm now living in the community (in York) where I am very happy and still 'old O...' but have the memories of what the clinical team did for me. So from total rebellion to total rehabilitation and someone who is hopefully not going to have to go back to hospital again." From an ex-Hannah Mills Patient