The History of Mind in Kingston

Kingston Association For Mental Health, affiliated to National Mind, was formed in 1970 to alert the statutory and voluntary sector agencies and the general public to the needs of the mentally ill. In those early days the majority of people with severe and enduring mental health problems were living in old Victorian hospitals and there were few resources in the community, if any, to enable patients to leave.

The primary work of the Association was publicising the problems associated with various mental illnesses; giving information and advice regarding resources; recruiting resources; recruiting volunteers and raising funds; and corresponding with Kingston long stay patients in Long Grove Hospital (now closed). In addition, a 'Nearly New' shop was opened.

Carisbrooke, a group home, was the first main accommodation project to open. This provided an opportunity for a group of long stay patients to move into the community and was the first resource of its kind in Kingston.

Ten years later, at the request of Richmond Churches Housing Trust, the Association set up and managed Palmer Crescent Hostel. This offered rehabilitation for 8 people with a severe mental illness who need a supportive environment from which they could prepare for independent living.

In collaboration with Kingston Social Services, the Association helped to establish 10 shared flats that provided 'move on' accommodation from the hostel and, in some instances, directly from hospital.

With the advent of Community Care and the Mental Illness Specific Grant, the Association began to grow. A General Manager was appointed and later an administrator and a Housing Support Worker. In 1992, with funding from 'Joint Finance', a User Empowerment Worker post was created. It was during this period that the Association changed its name to Mind in Kingston.

Mind in Kingston has always tried to meet identified needs and to respond to changes in local circumstances. It was with mixed emotions that the then Executive Committee, now the Board of Trustees, decided to relinquish its management role in respect of the rehabilitation hostel in February 1998. Reluctantly, we had to concede that residential care is now better provided by larger organisations than we are.

In May 1997 Mind in Kingston moved its offices to its current location in Siddeley House, and in February 1999 became a company limited by guarantee.

Services currently provided by Mind in Kingston include:

• Group Homes
• Shared Flats
• Drop-in Cafes
• User Involvement Service
• Mental Health Awareness Training (MHA)
• Recreation service for people in hospital
• Small Grants
• Outreach Information Stall
• 'Sample This' Music Project
• 'A3 Milan' Football Team