Paisley Lodge Care Home in Armley, Leeds, has expanded its specialist care provision with the launch of a dedicated mental health community for people aged 65 and over living with complex mental health conditions.
Already recognised for its specialist Reconnect Dementia Care approach, Paisley Lodge has now introduced Reconnect Mental Health Care, a new community for older adults living with conditions including depression, anxiety, delirium, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and substance use disorders.
Rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the home is part of Orchard Care Homes, an award-winning provider with 23 facilities across the North of England and the Midlands.
Building on the success of its Reconnect model of Dementia Care, the new community is an extension of the group’s specialist services strategy.
Too often, older people with complex mental health needs spend long periods in hospital or in care environments that cannot fully meet their needs.
Reconnect Mental Health Care has been carefully designed to address this gap, offering a specialist, long-term home where wellbeing, purpose, and pleasure are central to everyday life.
Paisley Lodge has also been redesigned to include warm, familiar spaces that mirror the comfort of home – cosy living rooms, welcoming kitchens, gardens, and peaceful areas for relaxation.
Residents are supported to use these spaces freely, promoting independence and confidence, and families are invited to be actively involved.
To provide this level of tailored support, the home operates an enhanced Specialist Support Worker-to-resident ratio.
Colleagues receive expert, bespoke training through the Orchard Academy, giving them the advanced skills and understanding required to support older people living with complex mental health needs.
The community was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, on 3 December.
Craig Chatburn, home manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be the first home in the group to offer Reconnect Mental Health and to provide truly person-centred support for older people living with mental health conditions in Leeds.
"Mental health in later life can present very differently, so we focus on care that is age appropriate, practical, and tailored to each resident’s needs.
“Our goal is to create a home where people feel safe, supported, and able to enjoy life with purpose and pleasure every day.”
Hayden Knight, chief executive of Orchard Care Homes, added: “This launch marks an important milestone for Orchard.
"We are extremely proud to introduce our first specialist Reconnect Mental Health community and grateful for the opportunity to provide high-quality, person-centred support to older people in Leeds.”