History

How it began… In the 1970’s inadequate mental health services in Mid-Essex led Chelmsford people to complain vigorously. All in-patients went to Severalls Hospital in Colchester and the only out-patient care was held twice weekly at clinics at Broomfield and Chelmsford and Essex hospitals.

The Mental Health Social Worker from Severalls Hospital and a small group of volunteers began weekly rehabilitation and craft sessions at the Forge Club at Elim Church before moving to the Old Court Theatre later. In February 1979 a Social Worker from Broomfield Hospital started a Chelmsford Support Group for the mentally ill. Support from the Community Health Council, National Mind and the Counselling Network led to a meeting at Guy Harlings on 25 October 1979 which set up a Steering Committee to consider starting a Mind Association. The first formal meeting of this new Mind Association was well attended and held at the County High School on 28 April 1980. Chris Green, then Head of Applied Social Sciences at the Chelmer Institute was unanimously elected at Chairman and so we began…

The first activities of the Centre included a Befrienders Group which gave one to one support but as activities increased, the need for a day care centre and base become more obvious. Meanwhile Mind threaded its way through the streets with fundraising in churches, the Cathedral, Chancellor Hall, fetes, home-based coffee mornings, Little Baddow Hall and many other places. The dedicated Fundraising Officer brought mental health care into public awareness, talks were given, discussions started, events such as Tudor Banquets, May Day Fairs, Fashion Shows, Disco’s and Flag days were organised and enjoyed by all.

The official opening of the “Dove Centre” at Old Moulsham Mill, Parkway, Chelmsford was held 15th November 1984 by the Lady Mayor of Chelmsford who became an advocate and designated Mind as her official charity. The Association changed status in 1985 to a Limited Company hence the name and 1991 saw the relocation to Duke Street and services were expanded to include Braintree and Witham outreach projects. In November 1993 a Committee Member named the new Linden Centre and gave a gift of a Linden tree as a symbol of the strong links between Mind and the NHS Mental Health Trust. July 1995 saw the opportunity of a move to Broomfield Road, this time in a house, activities continued to expand. After the lease expired in 2001 we moved to Sadlers House, Legg Street where we are still offering a fantastic range of services with a strong dedicated staff team.