Next Step

Please note that this service is available by referral only. Clients wishing to attend Next Step must be referred from within the Mental Health Service.

The Next Step team:

Unit Manager
IT Instructor
Arts and Craft Instructor
Praxis Support Workers
Supported Permitted Earnings staff
Tel: +44 1624 616686

The Brunswick Gardens team:

Gardening Instructor
Woodwork Instructor
Supported Permitted Earnings staff
Tel: +44 7624 497050

Brunswick Gardens on Albany Road is a therapeutic garden project. It offers predominantly horticultural and woodwork sessions. At Derby Square we offer computing, art and craft sessions as well as a variety of diversional, social and drop-in activities.

Next Step is a part of the Mental Health Service and offers structured sessions as well as drop in where clients choose their own level of participation in the activities on offer.

Our Philosophy

The Next Step philosophy is to promote independence through the restoration of lost skills and the development of new ones. One focus of the unit is to facilitate service users entry or re-entry, into employment following an episode of mental illness. The unit also provides a range of meaningful activities for those currently unable to enter employment. This approach is consistent with the Department's policy of social inclusion.

Next Step Sessions

Sessions run as follows:

Clients are welcome to enjoy a cup of tea in our canteen facility prior to the start of sessions. Clients wishing to attend for full days can make use of the canteen facility during the break between morning and afternoon sessions.

Activities on offer

Saturday Brunch Club

Clients are invited to meet up at the brunch club to have a chat with other service users and carers. The Next Step brunch club runs from 11am to 2pm on Saturdays.

Food options are made available to all attending the Brunch Club. 

Computing

Clients can participate in IT training sessions. These are available for novice users who need to learn basic skills, through to advanced training and further qualifications via the Isle of Man College.

Craft 

Clients can explore their creative side. Support is available for those who have never attempted this type of activity before. A large stock of materials and equipment is available and there is relaxed and encouraging atmosphere.

A large well-equipped craft suite can accommodate up to 16 clients and a wide range of activities are available for clients to participate in.

Materials and equipment for craft activities are provided without any charge to clients.

Clients who actively participate in craft are welcome to bring their own projects and equipment to sessions.

Storage is provided for client projects, equipment and materials.

Clients have access to an Apple iMac computer and specialised colour photo and laser printers to; reproduce photos, create and print designs and colour schemes, produce text and graphics to add to craft projects.

Brunswick Gardens

Gardening

Clients can commit to investing as much of their time and effort in the gardening project as they wish. There are many different activities undertaken on-site and clients can, with the help of an instructor, decide which projects they would like involvement with.

Woodwork 

Clients can utilise the woodworking sessions to learn new skills, or to develop existing ones. Projects of large or small scales can be undertaken and an instructor is on hand to advise and direct with the design and finish of projects.

Employment Assessments are available for clients wishing to access employment opportunities through our links with the Disability Employment Service. Usually of one month’s duration, clients are comprehensively assessed on a wide range of employment specific skills.

Diversional, social and drop-in activities: Clients can access a range of facilities and structured activities. Some activities on offer will be timetabled whilst others can be accessed on a drop-in basis.

Referrals are received from within the mental health service and Next Step staff will remain in contact with referring agencies and care coordinators throughout the client’s attendance. The staff at Next Step work closely together as a team and in accordance with the unit’s philosophy.

Bradda Resource Centre

Clients in the South and West of the Island can avail of our Tuesday group at Bradda Resource Centre in Port Erin. The group has a strong focus on Arts and Crafts and offers a warm social atmosphere to those wishing to join it. The group runs from 10am to 3pm each Tuesday.