ABOUT TENACIOUS HOUSE

Tenacious House provides mental health support and professional care services in the northern suburbs of Perth, to help men conquer life-controlling issues and re-integrate with society.

History

The strength of Tenacious House derives from a growing community of like-minded people, with a desire to help those in need through a long-term, sustainable journey of recovery.

Originally established as a social impact initiative of Globalheart Church in Joondalup, Tenacious House is a public benevolent activity of Northern Compassion Inc., which has been providing mental health support and rehabilitation services since 2014.

Values

Tenacious House is built on the core values of Connection, Hope and Resilience.

Connection

Connection is about building a strong network of relationships with referral and delivery partners, financial supporters and sponsors, and clients and their families. If community is to be built and maintained, connection is to be valued.

Hope

Hope is most commonly expressed as a desire, coupled with expectation of success, and this ought to be harnessed. With a firm view that positivity breeds positivity, hope underpins an individual’s journey to recovery and re-integration.

Resilience

Resilience is a founding value that is felt at every level of the organisation; clinical, community, and commercial. It is through resilience, passion and tenacity that progress has been made across all fronts, and will continue to be into the future.

Tenacious House is taking men from isolation to connection, from despair to hope, and from instability to resilience.

Community Support

Tenacious House stands on the collective goodwill, tenacity and connections of community members.

The program has historically relied on the generosity of others, through individual donations and support of fundraisers, as well as volunteered time to cover a range of foundational services.

In particular, the Board/Management Committee of Tenacious House is comprised of civic leaders, lawyers, doctors, business professionals, and more, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to take the organisation forward.

Now

Since securing Mental Health Commission Innovation Grants in 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 Tenacious House has onboarded 150 admissions and delivers excellent outcomes for residential participants by integrating hospital and community services into a resident’s journey when required.

In 2024 we commenced a new and exciting Department of Justice Grant Project pilot project called RISE-UP: Transforming Criminality to Contribution. This 20-month residential program is designed to support men overcome drug-related crime behaviours with new dedicated clinical and lived experience peer interventions. The project is being thoroughly evaluated by Edith Cowan University.

Also in 2024 we implemented and completed an excellent Curtin University research project designed to help men improve fitness and nutrition. This 6-month project has led to new levels of fitness motivation with our residents and is now a core component of weekly fitness programs.

Our unique integrated recovery program has supported successful long-term recovery for many residents with complex issues, with direct admissions from our major hospitals relieving high-demand beds and supporting our front-line hospital teams.

With over 70 Perth metropolitan agencies now referring to Tenacious House we have a proactive and thorough approach to managing admissions and our Welfare team guides individuals and agencies through an assessment and intake phase.

This is enabled by individualised treatment programs, and a “no wrong door” approach to the admission process.

Government Recognition & Support

Tenacious House achieved external accreditation in the form of IHCA Certification in 2018 and recertification in 2021 & 2024, WAAMH and WANADA membership since 2019, WA Primary Health Alliance funding since 2019, and most recently a Department of Justice Grant in 2024.

Our unique program supported by WA State Government’s Mental Health Commission has enabled critical new referral pathways to be established with Perth Hospitals and Mental Health Units, with all major services now referring to Tenacious House. This is realised as a significant benefit to the community in relieving hospital beds that are in high demand and gives frontline teams the option of referring vulnerable men to our long-term residential service.

ECU Research

Tenacious House partners with Edith Cowan University in conducting extensive research into the organisation and its unique approach, to provide an evidence-based assessment on how to best position the organisation for future growth and development.

This was made possible through scientific investigation which required significant engagement with the people, and investigation of the service outputs and architecture.

Drawing on a range of quantitative and qualitative data, the reports provide a Service Model and Evaluation Framework to help the organisation move forward through four strategic focus areas: Excellent Care; Stakeholder Network; Governance and Leadership; and Sustainability.

Next

Tenacious House is entering an exciting and important phase of development as an organisation, in readiness for further expansion and impact into the future.

As an organisation, we are committed to:

Excellent Care – building an exceptional team; delivering a best-in-class peer support program; ensuring continuity of care; and publishing research, outcomes, and lessons learned.

Stakeholder Network – a strong influencer in the mental health and social care sector; integrated with the community; established varied and robust strategic relationships to support growth; and delivering integrated and shared care services through partnerships.

Governance and Leadership – diverse and dedicated Management Team/Board; strong executive leadership driving organisational development and sustainability; with positive organisational culture to drive employment and commitment.

Sustainability – varied funding to include recurring and project-based income; commitment to staff wellbeing; embedded culture of continuous learning; and well developed systems and processes.