Community team helps Muhammad break the cycle

A specialist community rehabilitation team has helped 60 people with complex mental health issues stay out of hospital.

This includes 41-year-old Muhammad Khan, from Oldham, who has shared his story to mark the “communities that care” theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025.

After spending nearly 10 years in hospital, Muhammad began working with the community rehabilitation team in late 2023. 

Part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, the team aims to support adults with serious mental conditions and complex needs to be discharged from hospital and prevent them relapsing.

Through working closely with Muhammad, his hospital care team, and a range of community-based professionals, he was successfully discharged from hospital a year ago. 

Since then, the team has continued to support his recovery through intensive psychology sessions, regular visits from the team’s peer support worker, and support from the team at his supported living accommodation.

Muhammad said: “I have a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

"I was first admitted to hospital when I was 23 and have been in and out of hospital for nearly 20 years.

"My most recent and longest stay was six years.

“Some hospital placements weren’t near my family.

"We couldn’t see each other very often which was hard.

“In the past I didn’t have the right support once I was discharged.

"This led to me relapsing and being readmitted. It was a like a revolving door.

“Before becoming unwell, I had so many plans and ambitions.

"I wanted to study, to work, become a writer and start a family. 

“I sometimes feel my life has been wasted.

"But I’ve learned and achieved a lot despite my diagnosis and being in hospital. 

"I’ve had articles published in the national media, have written three books, and present a radio show helping tackle mental health stigma. 

"I also won service user of the year in the 2022 Nursing Times Awards.

"I’ve settled well in my current accommodation and spend half the week with my family.

“Without David and the community rehabilitation team, it’s quite likely I’d have relapsed.

"Together we’ve broken the revolving door cycle, and I can look forward to the future and achieving my dreams.”

Peer support worker David Hill meets with Muhammad every week.

David said: "While hospital is sometimes necessary to support someone through a crisis, it’s not the best place in the long term.

“It’s much more expensive to care for someone in hospital.

"But it’s not about money, it’s about what’s right for patients and their recovery.

“After being discharged, one of the biggest challenges people face is the freedom.

"Many will have spent several years in a secure environment, with lots of routine, structure and things done for them.

“Suddenly they’re faced with being able to go anywhere and do anything.

"Without the right support this can be overwhelming and lead to a relapse.

“It’s been a privilege supporting Muhammad’s recovery journey over the last 18 months.

"We meet and discuss what’s going well and any challenges he’s facing.

"He’s a wonderful person, brimming with talent, determination and compassion.

"He has so much potential, and I know he’ll go far.”

More information about the community rehab team is available by clicking here

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