Asylum to Action offers an alternative history of a libertarian therapeutic community at Paddington Day Hospital in West London in the 1970s. Helen Spandler recaptures the radical aspirations, as well as the conflicts, of the early therapeutic community movement, radical psychiatry and the patients' movement. The author's account of the formation of the Mental Patients' Union, the first politicised psychiatric survivors group in the UK, raises questions about the connections between the service user movement, therapeutic communities, critiques of psychiatry and psychoanalytic models of intervention. In particular, Spandler challenges the dominant account of the subject. She points out that some of the key difficulties that beset Paddington Day Hospital persist in modern therapeutic community practice and, indeed, in mental health services in general. Arguing that these dilemmas require sustained attention, Asylum to Action also informs a wider analysis of the significance of social movements, social action and critical social theory.
Asylum to Action offers an alternative history of a libertarian therapeutic community at Paddington Day Hospital in West London in the 1970s. Helen Spandler recaptures the radical aspirations, as well as the conflicts, of the early therapeutic community movement, radical psychiatry and the patients' movement. The author's account of the formation of the Mental Patients' Union, the first politicised psychiatric survivors group in the UK, raises questions about the connections between the service user movement, therapeutic communities, critiques of psychiatry and psychoanalytic models of intervention. In particular, Spandler challenges the dominant account of the subject. She points out that some of the key difficulties that beset Paddington Day Hospital persist in modern therapeutic community practice and, indeed, in mental health services in general. Arguing that these dilemmas require sustained attention, Asylum to Action also informs a wider analysis of the significance of social movements, social action and critical social theory.
Subject terms:
intervention, mental health problems, models, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, service users, therapeutic communities, day centres, empowerment;
User-led organisations are increasingly providing services themselves, but it is not always easy to overcome the barriers of bureaucracy and officialdom when you are inexperienced in project development. This is an account of the trials, tribulations and eventual success of a group of users in rural Dorset, who are keen to use their newly acquired experienced for the benefit of others who may want to do the same.
User-led organisations are increasingly providing services themselves, but it is not always easy to overcome the barriers of bureaucracy and officialdom when you are inexperienced in project development. This is an account of the trials, tribulations and eventual success of a group of users in rural Dorset, who are keen to use their newly acquired experienced for the benefit of others who may want to do the same.
Subject terms:
community care, community mental health services, day centres, day services, drop-in centres, empowerment, mental health problems, service users, social skills, social care provision, supported employment, user participation, user-led organisations;
The drop-ins project interviewed 17 people at three voluntary sector drop-in groups in Wales, who reported that peer support in these groups was the most positive factor in improving their mental health. Almost half of those interviewed said that they "would not go out at all" if they did not go to the drop-in, and several people said that without it they would stay in bed all day. Nearly all of them had made friends through the groups and had found improved confidence and self-esteem. One of the themes which emerged in the course of this research concerned statutory sector day centres which, in contrast to voluntary sector drop-ins, were commonly described as inflexible and offering clients little autonomy or independence.
The drop-ins project interviewed 17 people at three voluntary sector drop-in groups in Wales, who reported that peer support in these groups was the most positive factor in improving their mental health. Almost half of those interviewed said that they "would not go out at all" if they did not go to the drop-in, and several people said that without it they would stay in bed all day. Nearly all of them had made friends through the groups and had found improved confidence and self-esteem. One of the themes which emerged in the course of this research concerned statutory sector day centres which, in contrast to voluntary sector drop-ins, were commonly described as inflexible and offering clients little autonomy or independence.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, peer groups, self-esteem, user views, young people, day centres, drop-in centres, empathy, empowerment, friendship, peer support;
The Lee Centre near Lewisham is a new kind of day service that aims to combine work, creative arts and leisure activities - all very much led by the people who use the centre. This report reviews the development of the Lee Centre and its achievements so far.
The Lee Centre near Lewisham is a new kind of day service that aims to combine work, creative arts and leisure activities - all very much led by the people who use the centre. This report reviews the development of the Lee Centre and its achievements so far.
Subject terms:
independence, mental health problems, service users, social work methods, supported employment, therapies, therapy and treatment, art therapy, community mental health services, day centres, day services, education, employment, empowerment;