Publish date: 23 June 2026
Patients from one of our Hollins Park wards have been able to enjoy the countryside and do a spot of fishing as part of their occupational therapy.
Four men from Marlowe Ward visited a local fishery at Rixton near Warrington with staff, spending time in the great outdoors, seeing birds, enjoying the flowers and indulging in some fishing. And staying hydrated of course!
Marlowe is one of our low secure inpatient services for adults with mental health problems who are involved in the criminal justice system. This will often be people who have been given a prison sentence but have been moved to one of our low secure mental health wards to support their mental health needs as they progress.
Helen Baxendale, Lead OT at the Medium Secure Unit, told us: “These kind of events are an important step for patients in their progress, supporting their recovery and moving them along their pathway.”
Helen’s team regularly support patients with activities like this. They are also growing vegetables and do gardening outside the ward itself. There are occasional trips further away which encourage art and craft hobbies. Helen says that the patients really enjoy these opportunities whilst also learning valuable skills supported by staff.
Activity co-ordinator Paul Watkinson added that on another recent trip, the men were lucky enough to spot a barn owl flying across the field. One of them said (Alan Partridge style); ‘He has probably flown in from a cracking owl sanctuary.’ Paul says that the Partridge fans enjoyed the moment.
We'll have news of the vegetable growing as the season progresses and maybe more from the owl too.
