Service overview
We are the Community Rehabilitation Enhanced Support Team, also known as CREST. Our service is part of the Berkshire Rehabilitation and Review Service (BRRS).
We can help you if you're living with severe mental health difficulties, such as psychosis.
You might see or hear things that other people can't (called hallucinations), or believing things which are not true (called delusions).
Rehabilitation
Psychosis can make some daily activities more difficult, such as spending time with friends or family, or enjoying the things.
Rehabilitation is about finding the support you need.
Our goal is to get to know you, so that we can create your personal care goals together so that you can live in your community with the right support.
We focus on your strengths and what matters most to you, such as following your interests, building new skills and confidence, or improving relationships.
Accessing our service
We can help if you're over the age of 18, registered with a GP in Berkshire, and experiencing psychosis.
You must already be in the care of one of our Berkshire Healthcare teams.
Your care professional can refer you to us, and if they think you might need help from CREST.
If we think CREST is right for you, we'll arrange an assessment to find out how we may help.
We'll do this by either calling you or asking your care professional to arrange this.
Unfortunately, we can't accept self-referrals.
Preparing for an assessment
When you're referred to CREST, we'll arrange an assessment with you to get to know you, and understand the type of support you need.
We'll arrange a visit at your home, or another suitable place of your choice. We’ll talk with you about what life is like, your goals and challenges, and how CREST may be able to support you with.
We might also ask you about any symptoms you're having, such hearing voices that other people do not hear, and how this affects your daily life.
The assessment will typically last 60 to 90 minutes.
You can also bring a friend, family member, or carer to your appointment.
Please let us know if you have accessibility needs, and if you would prefer to have written or visual information.
We may guide you to another service if we feel it can help you.
How we may help
Rehabilitation
Psychosis can make some daily activities more difficult, such as spending time with friends or family, or enjoying the things.
Rehabilitation is about finding the support you need.
Our goal is to get to know you, so that we can create your personal care goals together so that you can live in your community with the right support.
We focus on your strengths and what matters most to you, such as following your interests, building new skills and confidence, or improving relationships.
Your care plan
Our team of specialists can work together to provide the right care for you, such as:
- Occupational Therapists, to help you explore and get back into activities which matter most to you and feel connected to yourself
- Pharmacists, who can offer medication support and education
- Rehabilitation workers, who can help you reach your goals, and encourage you to keep a positive outlook throughout your recovery journey
- Lived Experienced Practitioners, who can share practical tips based on their own experiences of living with mental health challenges
- Psychiatrists, who can diagnose and treat mental health conditions
- Psychology Team, including Systemic Family and Art Therapists
We’ll talk with you about additional support needs you may have.
Managing your health
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Community Rehabilitation Enhanced Support Team (CREST)
CREST is based across the county of Berkshire. CREST is not an urgent care or emergency service, and staff members are available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Email: BRRSCREST@berkshire.nhs.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is psychosis?
Psychosis is a when you might see or hear things that others do not, believe things that other people do not believe, or have a confused thinking and speaking pattern.
Psychosis can be a symptom of serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
Psychosis can be a common experience, and it affects people in different ways.
It might happen once, or every so often. It may be a frightening experience that can affect your behaviour, where you no longer trust others and want to stay at home because it feels safe.
There is help available if you need it.
Is psychosis a mental health diagnosis?
Psychosis is not a diagnosis by itself, but is a set of unusual experiences that might be part of various mental health conditions, which have a big impact on your life.
Psychosis is usually a symptom of other mental health diagnoses, such as:
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Postpartum psychosis
- Severe depression
Psychosis can be a recurring or constant experience, which can affect your daily life in different ways.
What is BRRS?
Our service is part of the Berkshire Rehabilitation and Review Service (BRRS).
Berkshire Rehabilitation and Review Services (BRRS) are a group of services which act as a first step for all applications made to the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
BRRS includes services like:
- CREST
- the Placements Review Teams
- Long-Term Inpatient Rehabilitation
Referrals to BRRS services can be made from within our Trust, or externally via ICBs and Local Authorities.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- Telephone interpreting
- Video remote interpreting (VRI)
- Face‑to‑face interpreting
- Written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to get information in a format that meets their needs.
The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers. This means making sure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand our information and communicate with us easily.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio
- Easy read
- Text message
- Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
What does it mean to treat our team with respect?
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
How do I find my NHS number?
The easiest way to find your NHS number is using the official NHS online service which can be accessed below.
You may also want to read our guidance page for more information about other ways to find your NHS number or what to do if you cannot find yours.
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