Café helps patients in secure services gain skills and confidence for life after hospital

A forensic mental health service in Kent is helping patients gain new skills and confidence through a café run within its secure services.

The Lakeside Lounge Café at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust gives patients the chance to gain City & Guilds qualifications while learning practical skills that could help them move into education, training, or work in the future.

Run by occupational therapy teams, the café provides patients with hands-on experience in a supportive setting. It helps them build confidence, develop independence and prepare for life after hospital. The model supports national priorities around personalised care, rehabilitation and successful community reintegration by linking therapeutic intervention with real-world learning and vocational opportunities.

Clare Hardwick, Head of Allied Health Professions, Forensic and Specialist Directorate at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “This initiative demonstrates the strategic value that allied health professionals bring to recovery-focused services. By combining therapeutic support with vocational learning and recognised qualifications, we are helping patients develop the skills, confidence and independence needed for the next stage of their recovery. 

“It shows how secure services can create meaningful opportunities that improve outcomes while supporting progression towards education, employment and community living.”

Patients working in the café take on tasks such as preparing food and drinks, serving customers, managing stock and following hygiene procedures. They also develop skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

The café is based within a secure forensic mental health service and serves staff, patients and authorised visitors. This allows patients to gain experience in a real working environment while remaining in a safe and supported setting.

As well as learning practical skills, patients can build routines, meet new people and take on greater responsibility. These experiences can help them feel more confident and better prepared for life outside hospital.

Lucie Reading, Occupational Therapy Assistant at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said:
“One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing patients grow in confidence. The café gives people the chance to learn new skills, take on responsibility and achieve goals that matter to them.

“It helps patients think about what they would like to do in the future and take positive steps towards it.”

The Lakeside Lounge shows how existing spaces can be used in new ways to support patients and help them prepare for life beyond hospital. It also highlights the important role occupational therapists and wider allied health professionals play in designing interventions that support recovery while helping people prepare for life beyond inpatient services