What is the ATS?

Our six-day intensive programme will provide you with specific psychological interventions that will help you to manage your emotions. We will provide you with a safe and friendly environment with positive and supportive staff. Research indicates that being able to understand our emotions helps us to regulate them better. We will support you and teach you skills to help you during times of distress and difficulty.

Who are we?

  • We are a team of experienced and skilled mental health practitioners and support workers.
  • We have an occupational therapist who can provide screenings and assessments.
  • Our users can attend our service Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm.

What will I be introduced to?

  • Wellbeing and healthy living advice
  • Social inclusion and activities in the local area
  • Holistic therapies

We provide breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. You are able to approach staff for 1:1 support as required between the group sessions.

What are the group sessions on?

  • Emotion regulation
  • States of mind and mindfulness
  • Crisis skills
  • Self-soothe
  • Self-compassion
  • Checking the facts
  • Interpersonal effectiveness
  • Problem solving
  • Occupational therapy
  • Goal setting
  • Physical health and sleep hygiene

We have various in-house activities you can do to promote recovery, such as arts and crafts, relaxation and games. We also have a quiet room you can use if you need time to yourself. Our groups help encourage you to become more independent so you can live a more fulfilling lifestyle.

How do I get the most from ATS?

  • Complete the full ATS programme for six consecutive days; attendance will be individually assessed and may be extended or reduced based on your engagement.
  • Ensure you fully engage in the ATS programme to gain the maximum benefit.
  • You will be expected to attend mandatory group sessions for psychological interventions.
  • Practice the skills that are taught during the evenings and weekends. It is helpful to try the skills while you are still engaged in the programme so that you can ask for support in areas that you are finding difficult.

What can I expect?

At ATS, you will find a friendly environment with supportive and positive staff. We ask for a commitment that you are willing to keep yourself safe while attending the ATS.

What if I miss attending?

If a day is missed, without prior agreement with the ATS team, this will result in discharge from the service. People who attend generally notice improvements in their wellbeing within the six days and have more hope for their future. Therefore, continuous attendance is very beneficial.

A typical day at ATS looks like this:

9.30am - 10.00 am Morning meeting e.g. A mindful word search and feedback on skills practise
10.30am - 12.00pm

Session 1

e.g crisis skills
12.00pm - 1.30pm

Lunch and social inclusion

e.g. a short walk or a bath bomb making activity
1.30pm - 3.00pm

Session 2

e.g. Self-soothe
3.00pm - 3.30pm

Afternoon meeting

e.g. A game of Dobble and commitment to practise certain skills

How can I be referred to ATS?

If you are likely to be admitted into hospital, you can request that you attend ATS instead. Similarly, if you are already in hospital you can request that you attend ATS as a means of being discharged from hospital sooner. Your care team can refer you to us by telephone. The ATS team will consider if the service is able to support you at this time and, if appropriate, make arrangements for you to start. You will be telephoned by a member of the ATS team in the two working days before you start to give you the opportunity to ask questions and for the team to explain what you need to know about the service prior to starting.

What do other service users think about ATS?

“It has been and will be such a core, pivotal turning point in my life”

“I am so grateful, beyond words, for the unconditional acceptance and kindness I have been shown throughout this journey with you all”

“I am ready for everything life throws at me, I know how to validate, accept and feel my emotions and it feels great to finally be in control.”

“I had to become the person I needed to survive, now I can become the person I need to be to thrive.”

Useful Contacts

  • ATS North Gateway Centre The Stadium Seasiders Way Blackpool FY1 6JX 01253 951 786
  • ATS Central Timber House Guild Park Whittingham Lane Preston PR3 2JH 01695 684 114
  • ATS East Bridge House Duckworth Street Whalley Banks Blackburn Lancashire BB2 1NT 01254 612 624