Willow
An eight-bed residential home supporting men and women 18 years and over who have a learning disability, autism with complex needs and behaviours seen as challenging.
Overview
Willow is a detached, purpose-built, single-storey care home designed to be an autism-friendly environment for eight adults. The dedicated staff team support individuals to develop their skills and independence. This helps in the reduction, frequency and impact of behaviours that may be perceived as challenging, or which restrict an individual’s life opportunities or their choice of future living options.
Willow’s primary purpose is to support individuals in developing their skills and independence, while also working to reduce the frequency and severity of behaviours that challenge. Over time, the aim is to enable individuals to step down to a less restrictive environment and continue along their chosen care pathway. The length of stay at Willow depends on each person’s individual needs and their planned pathway of support.
Willow has been accredited by the National Autistic Society through its Autism Accreditation Programme, the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme, offering support and development for providers of services to autistic people.
Placement Criteria
- Men and women aged 18 and over
- Autism, learning disability, complex needs and behaviours seen as challenging
What we do
At Willow, support is entirely person-centred, shaped around each individual’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. The dedicated team works closely with every person, encouraging the development of new skills, the achievement of meaningful outcomes, and the enhancement of overall health and wellbeing. A wide range of outcome-focused opportunities is offered to promote independence, personal growth, and long-term progression, always led by the individual and guided by what matters most to them.
Willow is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care through a passionate and experienced team focused on improving each person’s quality of life.
The service also proudly delivers the Active Offer, ensuring that all services are readily available in the Welsh language without the need for a request. This inclusive approach strengthens communication, supports cultural identity, and reflects a deep commitment to respecting and celebrating the rich heritage of Wales. By providing care in individuals’ preferred language, Willow fosters stronger connections and creates a more inclusive and empowering environment.
How we do it
At Willow, every individual’s progress is recorded, recognised, and celebrated. Achievements are proudly displayed on our Outcome Board, using photos and visual highlights that are shared with families to celebrate successes, no matter how big or small.
Progress towards personal goals is carefully monitored and reviewed using the Spectrum Star tool, a person-centred framework designed specifically for individuals with autism and learning disabilities. This tool helps set meaningful, achievable goals and allows us to track an individual’s progress step by step, encouraging skill development and personal growth at a pace that suits them.
Each person at Willow has a comprehensive person-centred plan, created in partnership with them before they join the service. These plans are reviewed every 90 days, or sooner if needed, to ensure they reflect the individual’s evolving needs, preferences, and aspirations. They also act as a guide for staff, helping them deliver truly personalised support that respects how each person wishes to be cared for.
In addition, we use Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) plans to better understand and respond to any behaviours that may challenge. These plans are developed together with the individual, their family, and the support team. They include clear, proactive guidance on how best to support each person and take into account their triggers, communication styles, and preferences, while ensuring support is delivered in the least restrictive, most respectful way possible.
Across all areas of planning and support, Willow works closely with families, commissioners, placement officers but importantly, the individuals themselves. This collaborative approach ensures everyone is actively involved in setting goals and shaping care.
Residents are supported to access a full range of primary healthcare services within the community, including GP visits, dental care, opticians, and other services.
Facilities
- Eight ensuite bedrooms
- Two large lounges
- Sensory lounge
- Dining room with activities area
- Shared bathroom with bath
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) kitchen
- Access to extensive landscaped grounds
- Options to access the ‘Woodlands’, an outdoor learning environment
Surrounding Area
Willow is set within 30 acres of outstanding natural beauty on the Highfield Park estate in Llandyrnog. On the park there is a spacious activity hub where individuals can choose to take part in a variety of activities, which includes sport, arts, crafts, music and other activities. It offers individuals the tranquillity of countryside living while being conveniently located near local amenities and areas of interest in North Wales and the North West of England.
Both regions provide access to a wide range of colleges, libraries, leisure centres, cinemas, cafés, and shopping facilities. One key local resource is HWB Denbigh, a centre that offers educational, employment, and wellbeing opportunities. HWB Denbigh features teaching rooms, a music studio, workshop space, IT suite, teaching kitchen, and hosts a variety of activities including fitness classes. Denbigh also has a public library, small shops, and supermarkets.
Further afield, but easily accessible via Highfield House’s vehicle or public transport, are the historic market towns of Ruthin and Mold, the seaside town of Rhyl, the city of Chester, and the popular coastal resort of Llandudno, all set within the stunning North Wales countryside.
Registered Manager
Registered Manager, Paige Parry
Paige began her journey with MHC in 2014 as a Support Worker and, through her dedication and compassion, has progressed to the role of Registered Manager.
Over the years, Paige has worked across many of the services at Highfield Park, gaining a deep understanding of the needs of individuals with autism and learning disabilities. Her hands-on experience and kind, person-centred approach have shaped her into a thoughtful and supportive leader, committed to making a real difference in the lives of the people she cares for.
Paige is passionate about creating a warm, safe, and empowering environment where every individual feels respected, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
‘Person centred care allows us to provide the best fitting environment for each individual.’
