Faith Foundations

The Trust was set up as a Christian entity, and that forms the foundation of all that is done here. Our values, our attitudes to people, and our hope for change and recovery for each guest stem from that, and keep us determined to be and to do the best that we can.

The four founding trustees and the two others who have been appointed subsequently, all share the vision of Beth-Shean providing safe, healing places for anyone affected by mental illness. They also share a commitment to the Christian faith, to high standards for the services provided, and to run a Trust that keeps to its original vision whilst being responsive to the needs of the community it serves.

Recovery Approach

In addition to the above, the other major influence on our service is the ‘Recovery’ approach. This incorporates the notions that a person’s recovery from experiences of mental distress must begin within themselves, and that recovery involves ‘living well in the presence or absence of mental illness’. It involves a partnership between the individual and their whanau, peers and clinicians, backed up by skills and knowledge to deal with the illness in the everyday world. The emphasis is on the person’s own strengths, dreams, and goals for their life, rather than merely a reduction of distress and symptoms.