05/10/2026
❤️ Last Wednesday marked the final Open Houses event of the year.
Our National Specialist Family Service opened its doors, welcoming visitors to meet the team, learn more about the service and see first-hand what residential rehabilitation looks like for women and their children.
Reflecting on the day, Rachael Clegg, Head of Residentials (Women and Families), said:
"For those of us fortunate enough to spend time within the service, it was also a powerful reminder of why this work matters so much. As the only national specialist residential family service in England, we have the privilege of witnessing women and their children receive the exceptional care, compassion and support provided by our dedicated team every day.
We see women thrive as individuals and as mothers through pregnancy, birth and early parenting, often overcoming extraordinary challenges to build brighter futures for themselves and their children.
One of the most moving parts of the day was hearing women share their experiences so openly and honestly. Their accounts highlighted the reality of navigating complex and often challenging systems to access support, and the barriers many mothers face when seeking help. While some of these stories were difficult to hear, they served as a powerful reminder of just how vital specialist services like ours are, and of the resilience, courage and determination shown by the women and families we support every day.
These experiences also remind us that we must continue working together to reduce barriers and make residential services more accessible and available for women and families. Every woman should be able to access the right support at the right time, and no family should face unnecessary obstacles when seeking help. By listening to lived experience and working collaboratively across services, we can create more opportunities for women and children to access the life-changing support they need to thrive."
A huge thank you to the whole team for opening their doors and giving such a warm welcome to everyone who joined us.
And a special thank you to the women and families who shared their experiences so openly, helping others better understand the realities of accessing support and the difference residential rehabilitation can make.
Thank you, too, to everyone who has been part of Open Houses this year - every service that opened its doors, every team that welcomed visitors and everyone who stepped inside to listen, learn and challenge assumptions.
