The Crisis House in Wokingham was opened on 2 April 1991.
Pam Jenkinson, its founder and manager, has issued an open invitation for people to take part in the tenth anniversary celebrations. This Crisis House is unique in that it is an example of a truly "user-led" facility, run entirely by volunteers and no paid management, which at the same time works in co-operation with all the statutory authorities. It has also managed to remain an affiliated member of National MIND. (Wokingham MIND is a separate charity.)
I have known Pam since the days when she was an active member of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship and I attended several of the conferences she organised on mental health issues. Pam was the first person to give me an opportunity (in 1991) to speak on Guardianship (Sections 7 and 37 of the 1983 Mental Health Act). Pam also gave talks to the NSF group I run (Weybridge, Surrey) on the 1983 Mental Health Act and her Crisis House in its early days.
The following is her invitation to the tenth anniversary celebrations:
From PAM JENKINSON, President of Wokingham & District MIND, and founder and manager of the Wokingham MIND Crisis House, Station House, Station Approach, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG11 2AP. Tel: 0118-979 2620. Email: minddropin@... :
"I am writing to all our friends who have supported the Wokingham MIND Crisis House over the years. Monday 2nd April 2001 is the tenth anniversary of our collecting the keys to the House. To mark the occasion we are holding a special OPEN DAY at the Crisis House on MONDAY 2ND APRIL 2001 - to which you are all warmly invited.
The House will be open from 10AM to 10PM.
Although visitors will be welcome THROUGHOUT THAT WEEK, Monday 2nd is the actual anniversary and the day on which we hope that most of you will join us.
We are inviting a wide range of people - not only those who have so generously supported us financially over the years, but also those who have given us support in terms of publicity. All the Mayors of Wokingham for the last decade - who all, without exception, have supported our work, MIND, other local MIND Associations, and numerous people working in mental health throughout the UK.
The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, is unable - due to heavy commitments - to be with us on 2nd April, but he has arranged for John Mahoney, Joint Head of the Mental Health Services Branch at the Department of Health, to represent him at the anniversary celebrations. Refreshments will be available throughout all the time of our opening and we hope that guests will take the opportunity of having a good look at our facilities which have improved enormously over the ten years. We started with one shrot-term single bed - and now have three doubles - one short-term and two longer-term. Our most recent improvement - due to the kind generosity of the Berkshire Health Authority - is internet access in our library.
Entering its second decade is an important rite of passage for a user-run crisis house. By then initial euphoria will have worn off and long-term commitment will have emerged. If the Crisis House is to earn a respected place in the local community, it will have done so by then, and any attempts to undermine the project will have failed.
Our services have improved and developed enormously in ten years, but our management remains as it was the day we walked through the door. As in 1991, our Executive Committee is composed entirely of users and carers and all the current elected officers are mental health service users.
I have written a Ten Year Souvenir History of the Crisis House for the anniversary and this will be available for all guests on the day, or can be sent by post to anyone not able to get to the anniversary celebrations.
For those who have not visited us before, the Crisis House is directly opposite Wokingham Railway Station.
We look forward to seeing you.
Best wishes. Pam Jenkinson - President"
Well done, Pam and team!
Rosemary
"Campaigning for good health & social care...it's for everyone"
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