1990 - 1999

From 1990 to 1993 our charity had exponential growth in its housing services across the North East of England, and our staff team grew accordingly to include Directors of Housing, Development and Community Support Services, as well the appointment of more finance and administration staff.

1991

NSF published a report called ‘Slipping through the Net’, which highlighted major gaps in the provision of services for those suffering from mental health illnesses. The report had profound effects on the support and delivery of services for people with mental health illnesses.

1992

In December 1992, following the killing of Jonathon Zito by a schizophrenia patient named Christopher Clunis, SANE (Schizophrenia A National Emergency), MIND and the National Schizophrenia Fellowship successfully campaigned for government funding to be released and prioritised for health and social care services for people with mental health needs.  

1993

We were successful in piloting our first employment service, The Gateway Project, delivered from our offices in Gateshead and secured through the European Social Fund. This service pioneered the recognition of the link between employment issues and peoples’ mental wellbeing which has since become a national priority. 
In 1993 we also relocated to West Sunniside, Sunderland.

1994

In June through an evidenced-based wider need for services and following consultation with its members, the Management Executive made the decision to change the name of the charity to Mental Health Matters (MHM). At the same time the charity amended its governing document (Articles and Memorandum of Association) to reflect those of a national charity. The name 'Mental Health Matters' reflected the decision to widen our support remit to all types of mental health conditions across the country, beyond the North-East. 

In this year, our Pathways Advice and Information service opened in Gateshead offering drop in advice and support on subject such as medication, benefits, local services as well as mental health needs to people living in Gateshead. This service is still going strong today!

1995

The Management Executive reviewed the effectiveness of the self-help group model currently operating, and it was decided that self-help groups would no longer continue, instead focusing our efforts on other types of mental health support.

MHM opened our first Helpline service, based in Middlesbrough. The helpline was originally commissioned to supplement one of our supported housing units, offering tenants emotional support 24/7. It was quickly identified that this innovative service could benefit many more people with mental health needs, and it began to be adopted more widely. We also opened our first dispersed housing service in Sunderland.

In the latter part of 1995 MHM opened up its Business Centre in Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.

We were successful in attracting (in total) £10 million of European Social Fund (ESF) monies into the North East of England creating a range of employment initiatives (ACCEPT & Sunniside projects) that enabled the charity to share, learn and embed good practice from other European countries.

1998

Our Northern Causeway service opened. This service offered outreach support to people in Belford, Wooler and Berwick providing social support within the local communities. MHM also opened the Reflections Resource Centre in Darlington offering meaningful occupation, employment and learning opportunities to residents living in Darlington.

1999

Our first service outside the North-East, Barrow Woods Forest Farm, opened in Bristol.