Care staff in Oxfordshire are using National Schizophrenia Awareness Day to draw attention to the practical and emotional support they provide to people living with the condition, stressing the role of tailored, 24-hour care and community activities in reducing isolation.
Local services and daily support
At Iris Hayter House in Littlemore, Oxford, mental health support workers from the county charity Response said their work focuses on enabling residents to take part in everyday life and regain a sense of purpose. Response is the county’s largest independent mental health charity and supports more than 500 adults and young people through a range of housing, recovery and prevention services.
One support worker who has spent several years at the service described how small, regular activities – from seated exercise and craft sessions to film nights and group outings – form an essential part of residents’ routines. These activities, she said, can be as important as clinical care in helping people feel connected and valued.
Therapeutic activities and lived experience
The worker, who also has training in music therapy, highlighted the benefits of creative approaches. She told InfoRadar that music sessions can offer non-verbal routes to engage with emotions, aid movement and encourage social interaction.
“When we start playing, I see faces light up. It helps people to reminisce and really express their feelings,”
She added that many people diagnosed with schizophrenia experience intense fear and uncertainty about what is real, which can lead to profound loneliness. Staff aim to provide a stable, supportive environment where people can participate in community life and develop confidence.
A resident's perspective
One resident, aged 78, said living at Iris Hayter House had eased his loneliness and improved his confidence. Local testimony like this underlines the importance of supported housing and day-to-day contact with trained staff.
- Who provides the support: Response, an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity.
- Where: Iris Hayter House, Littlemore, Oxford.
- What services: Supported housing, recovery and prevention services, therapeutic activities including music therapy.
Context and practical information
Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that can involve hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking. National estimates suggest it affects about 1% of the UK population. Services such as supported housing and community recovery provision are intended to complement clinical treatment by offering daily structure, social contact and rehabilitative activities.
| Item | Local figure / note |
|---|---|
| People supported by Response in Oxfordshire | More than 500 adults and young people |
| Estimated national prevalence of schizophrenia | ~1% of the UK population |
For families and individuals seeking support, local charities and NHS mental health teams remain the primary route to services. Response and similar organisations also provide information about housing options, day activities and therapy-led programmes.
As awareness initiatives such as National Schizophrenia Awareness Day prompt public conversation, staff at local services say they hope the focus shifts from fear and exclusion to what people with schizophrenia can achieve with consistent support.
