Swindon opens first women-only mental health crisis house to support recovery

A pioneering women-only mental health crisis house has opened in Swindon, offering a safe and supportive alternative to hospital admission for women experiencing mental health crises.

Named Oriana House, the facility is the first of its kind across the Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire region served by the Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Partnership Trust (AWP). The house is owned by AWP and operated in partnership with the charities Missing Link and Alabaré.

Located in Swindon's Old Town, Oriana House is designed to provide short-term residential support in a community setting, helping women stabilise their mental health while preparing for longer-term recovery.

The new service aims to bridge the gap between home support and hospital care by offering women a calm, welcoming environment during periods of mental health crisis.

Guests are expected to stay between seven and ten days, during which they receive personalised support from trained staff. The facility includes four fully accessible bedrooms, a sensory room, communal living areas, and a garden where residents can participate in wellbeing activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, and other therapeutic sessions.

Health leaders say the model focuses on recovery rather than institutional care, creating a setting that feels more like a home than a hospital ward.

Matthew Page, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at AWP, praised the collaboration that made the project possible.

He said the opening demonstrates how partnerships between the NHS and specialist charities can deliver more inclusive mental health services, particularly for people who may struggle to access traditional forms of care.

According to the organisations behind the project, Oriana House is intended to provide women with a clear pathway toward longer-term wellbeing while reducing the need for hospital admissions.

People with personal experience of mental health services played an important role in designing the programme offered at Oriana House.

Sam Hanks, who previously received support through Alabaré, said involving former service users in the planning process ensures that care better reflects the needs of women in crisis.

She explained that staying in a space designed to resemble a comfortable bedroom rather than a hospital ward can help reduce anxiety and create a greater sense of safety.

Hanks also highlighted the importance of providing women-only accommodation, noting that mixed-gender mental health wards can sometimes feel intimidating, particularly for vulnerable patients.

Supporting Women's Mental Health

The opening of Oriana House represents a significant investment in community-based mental health care across Wiltshire. By combining NHS expertise with specialist charitable support, the new centre aims to provide women with compassionate, personalised care in a safe environment focused on recovery and independence.