Background to Libury Hall by Angela Smith-Director
Libury Hall has over the years evolved from a Working Farm Colony set up in 1900 by Baron Von Schroder as a Voluntary non for profit organization for German people in distress needing a community and work whilst recovering from distress or becoming homeless. Through two world wars it became an internment camp and then in the 60’s/70’s a Residential home for the Elderly with 90% placements coming from Hertfordshire County Council. In 2005/6 Angela Smith became the Registered Manager for 7 years and she was aware of a need for individuals in Mental Health Crisis to be offered a “home” and support, to enable recovery within a safe and secure setting, leading to a possible transition into the community. The change of client has taken approximately 10 years to establish.
The Trustees then, comprised of Mr T Schroder and 4 other Trustees from various banking and Schroder family connections. During the period 2006/11 they understood the need to redevelop the home and supported the planning applications which were granted for a 40-bed extension to the home. However, In 2012 the home was put on the market for a possible sale as the Trustees, due to work commitments and time needed, felt unable to take on the redevelopment once planning had been established in 2012. After several meetings with the possible new purchasers, it was noted that the ethos and direction of the home would be changed. Angela Smith became Director in 2013 and took on the responsibility for the redevelopment of the business , recruited 4 new Trustees, a new financial manager, transferred assets and land into a limited company and started the process evident today.
Planning was always going to be an uphill battle being within the rural environment however Libury Hall changed the application in 2013/14 and were granted planning permission for 5 individual bungalows /renovation of redundant buildings/refurbishment of the main house and other buildings. Funds were now available.
The emphasise on referrals we were receiving seemed acute mental health issues /broken down placements within the community and individuals with complex remitting and enduring mental health problems. Angela realised that the challenges within the mental health sector where now acute and residential facilities to support this group of people were few and far between within North and East Hertfordshire. The home was wanting to offer different levels of holistic support and care to meet the evolving needs within the sector, coupled with “end of life” care. Our average age of residents is 59 years, having placements from the age of 40+ but the majority of placements being in the “Elderly” category- historically being the norm for us. The expectation is for a “recovery model” to be in place for some residents with the belief, that in the long term they would be able to integrate back into the community. If they are not able to move back into the community the expectation would be that they would live independently within the grounds of Libury Hall, in the bungalows. Libury Hall offers a “homely” environment with a rehabilitation element for those able to engage. With this this in mind we have achieved four different levels of care within a residential setting, with expected costings of £1.9 Million (self- financed) started in 2015 and a completed in 2017.
Phase 1: New purpose built building (4 Bedsits-Schroder Courtyard), for new independent/ or existing residents with daily living skills. Completed June 2015 (4 rooms)
Phase 1a: New Day Centre within (Schroder Courtyard) to accommodate facilities for Daily Living skills and socialisation. Completed September 2016
Phase 2: Four new (four bedded) bungalows within the grounds, catering for the complex semi- independent residents with longer term needs within a recovery programme or respite beds for those in immediate need- coming from the community or hospital in mental health crisis, allowing their recovery to take place, at pace which the hospitals or community cannot support. Completed December 2016 (16 rooms)
Phase 3: Renovation and upgrade of Schorr House to accommodate high needs intense 1-1 support for complex or challenging behaviours. Completed April 2017 ( 2 Rooms)
Phase 4: The main house 13 rooms (Libury Hall) being renovated to give upgraded facilities for residents or new placements with higher need requirements needing routine and structure. Completed July 2017 (13 rooms)
Libury Hall offers a “Home” for all individuals that will allow them to feel valued and respected as a member of a community. The countryside and freedom of space allows this home to be “open” with no locks or restrictions in place, for many residents this is something that they would not have experienced due to their diagnosis and previous treatment placements, and the perceived risks that they would pose within a residential/ town setting. Residents feel free to express and exhibit behaviours at Libury Hall that in the community makes them vulnerable to financial exploitation, becoming isolated and at times liable to eviction from community housing thus impacting on their recovery.