Grass Roots Mental Health

Promotion in Croydon

Sue Albery, Development Officer, Association for Pastoral Care in Mental Health

in Croydon (APCMH)

It is fashionable to link community regeneration with

notions of social inclusion and therefore with positive

mental health. Behind the buzz words lies the reality that

if as human beings we feel we belong with others, that we

make a contribution to the well being of others that matter

to them and we can call on others when we need them, we

feel better about ourselves and are more able to cope with

the ups and downs of life.

If we live in such an environment not only will our physical

needs be met but we will be able to find ways to satisfy our

spiritual needs, we will be more completely human.

The Association for Pastoral Care in mental health in

Croydon (APCMH) tries to translate these ideas into reality

every week in their Drop-In clubs. These clubs provide a haven

for anybody living with or recovering from enduring mental

health problems with a safe, welcoming, undemanding

environment where support is given but where they are valued

for the contribution they give to the support of others. As well

as informal mutual support people are actively encouraged to

make the transition, if and when they wish to, from drop-in

member to volunteer with the certain knowledge that they can

still draw on support themselves if necessary. When the Drop-in

works at its best it is a mutually supportive community.

It is one thing to create a microcosm of a supportive

community at certain times each week within a recognised

mental health setting it is another to take these same ideas

out to the wider community. ‘Time banks’, based on the ideas

of Edgar Cahn in his book ‘No More Throw Away People’

could offer this opportunity. ‘Time banks’ are promoted in

the UK by the New Economics Foundation.

In Croydon, APCMH as a voluntary Mental Health

organisation, and members of staff in statutory day services

have been working to find ways to translate the Time bank into

a reality for Croydon people and especially people who use

mental health services. We have been given support from Zoe

Reed from the Developing Organisation and Community dept.

of South London and Maudsley Trust, Sarah Burns from Time

banks UK and Karina Koch the development worker for Time

banks in the local Trust. We are now developing links with

Croydon Council’s Social Enterprise Group. Together we want

to create a real sense of community in Croydon, that will be:

«    A place where mental health service users are accepted as

equal contributors to their community.

«    A system that builds communities from the bottom up and

follows the agenda of the people who live in the community.

«    Where equality is a practical reality.

«    Where the activities build relationships and strengthen

informal support mechanisms.

«    Where mental health promotion happens naturally.

Find out more

APCMH

In Croydon where we not only provide the Drop-Ins

but also do work to promote opportunities for creativity.

Sue Albery

Development officer

Cornerstone House

Willis Road

Croydon CRO 2XX

Tel 020 8665 6718

email apcmh@croydononline.org

Website www.pastoral.org.uk

Time Banks UK www.timebanks.co.uk

New Economics Foundation www.neweconomics.org

This extract from

 Department of Health,

 Mental Health Promotion

 Update April 2002

Available from their website

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