|
A short history of
MHM Wales
1984 Inaugural meeting to discuss the
establishment of a Mind group, this opportunity was created around the
purchase of a property in Bridgend to provide accommodation for people with
mental health problems and the need for this to be managed by a voluntary
group.
1985 Ogwr Mind founded and a part-time Development worker (funded under
Urban Aid money) employed and based at Sunnyside Social Services Dept. A
Sunday afternoon drop-in functioned from Ty’r Ardd Day Centre, this depended
entirely on volunteers.
1987 Purchase of 63 Nolton Street with money from the
Tudor Trust. One full-time development worker employed.
1988 – 89 Renovations and refurbishment
of building completed. Second hand shop fronted the small sitting room used
as a ‘drop-in’; this was a common idea at the time and was intended to
protect people using the centre from stigma and discrimination.
1990 The All Wales Mental Illness
Strategy (1989) facilitated the employment of 2 workers – a full time co-ordinator
and part-time Centre Development Worker (this strategy focused on the
closure of Victorian Psychiatric Hospitals and the development of community
based services)
1992 Employment of a part-time housing
worker for housing project – staff now consist to 1 full-time worker, 2
part-time workers 6 shop volunteers.
1993 Extensive review of the shop
facilities and drop-in. Unanimous decision to close the shop – people felt
there was more stigma attached to using a second hand shop than there was
to a mental health drop-in centre! Big step for the organisation in terms
of becoming ‘user’ focused and involving people who use the service in its
developments. Centre members agreed to role of future volunteers and wrote
a job description plus took an active part in the recruitment process. The
centre was open 3 times per week utilising mainly volunteers.
1996 Appointment of a part-time
Information Worker and Admin worker with recurring money from Bro Morgannwg
NHS Trust.
1
full-time worker
5
part-time workers
1997 Organisation becomes Mental Health
Matters (Bridgend County Borough), rational behind
this was that the trustees were spending more and more time having to
respond to consultations and papers from National Mind that they had little
time to address local issues.
Availability
of additional funding via the Local Mental Health Grants Scheme meant an
expansion to the centre staff – 3 centre assistants appointed 13 hrs each
week. Two of the existing volunteers were successful in their application.
Centre members very active in this whole process.
Appointment
of User Involvement Officer (Lottery funded), the Patients’ Council post
(2000) is a development from this.
2001 Extension
to housing services – appointment of 2 housing workers (part-time)
2003 Staff
team split to establish a Central Office at Cambria House, with all service
providers remain at Nolton
Street.
2004 Appointment of 3 staff for the
Community Advocacy Service – this was a milestone in the development of advocacy
for people not in a hospital setting.
2005 - Staff team now total 15
Appointment
of a Befriending Co-ordinator – this marked an important step forward in
terms of how MHM is able to roll out services across BCB.
Implementation
of first stages of strategic plan.
Appointment
of Assistant Director,
Review of
Object of Mental Health Matters and
Move
to becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee (greater financial protection
for trustees)
2007 Became Mental Health Matters Wales
September 2007 Mental Health Matters Wales becomes an
accredited IMCA service training provider
October 2007 MHM Wales launches IMCA services across South
Wales operating in Swansea - Port Talbot - Bridgend - Vale of Glamorgan -
Rhondda Cynon Taff - Cardiff - Caerphilly -
Merthyr Tydfil - Blaenau Gwent - Newport
- Torfaen – Monmouthshire
November 2008 MHM Wales Launches IMHA service in the South East Wales area,
covering Caerphilly - Blaenau Gwent – Newport
- Torfaen – Monmouthshire
|
