The 14-bed mental health rehabilitation residential care service has been developed as part of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust's wider strategy to reduce out-of-area inpatient placements, improve patient experience and create more consistent rehabilitation care for local people.

The service will support adults who have experienced severe or long-term mental illness to regain independence, build everyday living skills and develop the confidence needed to live successfully within their communities. Residents will receive tailored support with managing a home, establishing daily routines, maintaining social relationships, improving physical health, accessing education and employment opportunities, and connecting with local services.

The development follows a regional review by NHS England, which identified that Coventry and Warwickshire had a high number of people requiring mental health rehabilitation support, who were being placed outside the local area. These placements can be disruptive for individuals and families, often placing people further away from their support networks and resulting in additional costs for the NHS.

National guidance highlights the importance of mental health rehabilitation services supporting people towards greater independence and reducing reliance on long-term inpatient care. In response, the Trust has been reviewing and redesigning local rehabilitation services to ensure more people can access the right support, at the right time, closer to home.

As part of this transformation, Hawkesbury Lodge has been repurposed from a former inpatient mental health rehabilitation unit into a specialist mental health rehabilitation residential care service.

Following a successful bid to NHS England in 2025, the building has undergone refurbishment to create a modern, homely environment that supports recovery and independence. National guidance and best practice helped shape the service model, which also includes a co-located Care Hub and expanded community enablement support to help people transition successfully through their recovery journey.

The Trust has today announced that Rethink Mental Illness has been appointed to deliver the residential rehabilitation service and jointly provide the co-located Care Hub. Mobilisation of the service is now underway, with the new facility expected to open in October 2026.

While day-to-day operations will be delivered by Rethink Mental Illness, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust will continue to work closely with the organisation to ensure high standards of care, quality and clinical oversight.

Viral Kantaria, chief integration officer at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: 'This development represents a significant milestone in our ambition to improve mental health rehabilitation pathways and provide care closer to home for people across Coventry and Warwickshire.

'Too many people who need specialist rehabilitation support have historically had to receive care outside the area, which can create additional challenges for individuals and their families. By transforming Hawkesbury Lodge into a modern residential rehabilitation service, we are creating a local resource that will help people build confidence, regain independence and continue their recovery within their own communities.

'We are delighted to be working alongside Rethink Mental Illness to deliver this innovative model of care and look forward to seeing the positive difference it will make to local people.'

Mark Yates, chief operating officer at Rethink Mental Illness, said: 'Rethink Mental Illness is delighted to be working in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust to deliver Hawkesbury Lodge, a significant investment in mental health rehabilitation across Coventry and Warwickshire.

'Hawkesbury Lodge reflects a shared ambition to ensure that people living with severe and enduring mental illness can access the right support, at the right time, closer to home. By strengthening local rehabilitation pathways, the service will help more people move towards greater independence and improved wellbeing.

'As one of the UK's leading mental health charities, we bring extensive experience in recovery-focused rehabilitation, supported accommodation and community mental health services. Working alongside the Trust, we will deliver high-quality, person-centred support that helps people build confidence, develop everyday living skills and achieve their personal goals. Together, we are creating a service that recognises people's strengths, supports recovery and enables more people to live fulfilling lives as part of their communities.'