Leeds Care home launches specialist mental health community for older people
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, Paisley Lodge has now introduced Reconnect Mental Health Care, a pioneering 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, the home is part of Orchard Care Homes, an award-winning provider with 23 homes across the North of England and the Midlands.
Building on the success of their Reconnect model of Dementia Care, this 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 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, just as they would in their own homes, promoting independence and confidence. Families are invited to be actively involved, helping to maintain identity, connection and a strong sense of belonging.
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. This ensures every resident receives truly personalised care shaped by their life history, routines and passions.
The community was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, on Wednesday, December 3.
Councillor Cohen commended the home’s warm and welcoming environment, offering his best wishes for the future.
“I genuinely wish you all the best of luck for the next chapter,” said Councillor Cohen. “Reconnect Mental Health is a fantastic service, and I have no doubt it will serve the local community well.”
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, CEO of Orchard Care Homes, added: “This launch marks an important milestone for Orchard, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone whose hard work and commitment made it a reality.
"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.”
Amelia Greenwood, Head of Specialist Services at Orchard Care Homes, commented: “Paisley Lodge’s Reconnect Mental Health community ensures that people in Leeds and surrounding areas can access high-quality mental health care locally, while also easing pressure on hospitals and external services.
"It also creates new job opportunities, training pathways and long-term development for regional care professionals.”
Responding to the growing national demand for specialist services, Orchard’s Reconnect communities are central to the group’s long-term strategy to enhance and modernise care for older people across the UK.
Now open and welcoming new residents, Paisley Lodge’s Reconnect communities are set to make a lasting difference to people and families in Leeds and beyond.