Francis House: Barnstaple
Organisation to assist people in their recovery from a past or present alcohol dependency.
About us:
Assisi Community Care is a Christian-based organisation, established in 1985 to assist people in their recovery from a past or present alcohol dependency at Francis House.
We provide non-institutionalised care for positive rehabilitation within a confidential and holistic community set in the countryside of North Devon.
We do not require clients to attend group sessions we have an eclectic philosophy of care which is based on the individuals motivation in recovery.
Many clients choose Francis House because it removes them from the environment where their alcoholism exists. This is the beginning of retraining the individual to cope without alcohol in the future.
Francis House is set in the heart of the countryside and yet only a short distance away from the local town and the coastal area. Many people have enjoyed the beneficial effects of county walking as North Devon is an area of natural beauty. The local town of Barnstaple include a leisure centre, cinema and theatre. During the year there are a number of local festivals. Residents may attend local Alcohol Anonymous (AA) groups. Further education is available at the local community college. There are numerous courses to help clients develop their skills, abilities and hobbies. Currently clients at Francis House are involved in archaeology, art foundation courses, literacy courses and personal development courses. UNESCO decided that North Devon is an environment that ranks with some of the best in the world, and recently designated a large part of the area as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Francis House is a seventeenth century manor house with a distinguished history which offers twin-bedded rooms and three lounges. Clare House is a modern building that offers single accommodation and provides two lounges, a snooker room, a pool room and a conservatory. For the more energetic a fully equipped gymnasium is to be found within the Clare House complex, and an additional mini gym. The total area of the grounds is approximately seven acres. Within the grounds there are three landscaped and ornamental trout ponds where residents may coarse fish.
The philosophy of care at Francis House is eclectic as it is based on the individuals own motivational sense of recovery. Clients are offered the opportunity of exploring positive aspects of their character which have previously been latent. These characteristics normally require a restoration of self-esteem and confidence, which we seek to achieve by the provision of a safe, structured and caring environment.
We encourage motivation towards self-discipline as the major means of change in the life of the individual. Self-discipline is the goal and the fundamental pre-requisite to achieving trust and freedom from dependency. The client is expected to examine alternatives to their previous escapism. Rather than impose a restrictive regime or apply ‘encounter techniques,’ we believe that the requirements of interactive community living will produce therapeutic situations. This requires the individual to confront their attitudes and behaviour and clients are supported in these therapeutic encounters by Senior Staff. This holistic method enables a process of self-advocacy, which is essential in aiding recovery.
Francis House provides a varied clinical service for client’s needs. This includes care plans, setting up and overseeing risk assessments, regularly reviewed support for client is offered by consensual approach in the setting up and reviewing of support plans. Senior staff provide up-to-date knowledge and research which is communicated to Care Staff.
Clients must be over 25 years of age and must have commenced detoxification and/or be 24 hours drug free. S/he must be looking towards become abstinent from alcohol and drugs.
Whilst the main criteria for residency is that an applicant is alcohol dependent at the point of application, we recognise that there are other categories of difficulties, ie offences of a sexual nature, hard drug dependency or extreme violence, which we cannot accommodate.
As a condition of residence all community members must accept and comply with four main rules:
No drink on or off the premises
No drugs other than prescribed
No violence or threat of violence
No smoking apart from designated areas.
If a service user contravenes any of these rules then they automatically discharge themselves from the service. Verbal abuse will not be tolerated and any violence will result in prosecution.
Contact Details:
Francis House
Swimbridge
Barnstaple
Devon
EX32 OQG
Telephone: 01271 830030