Aims and Objectives

Wandsworth Mind is an independent charitable organisation, affiliated to National Mind (National Association for Mental Health). It is one of more that 200 local Mind Associations throughout the United Kingdom and it has been in existence since February 1973.

Wandsworth Mind aims to improve the quality of life of people suffering from mental distress by working in partnership with sufferers, carers, other voluntary and statutory agencies and the local community.

Wandsworth Mind believes:

• In the value of care and respect for everyone
• That mental illness is often made worse by financial, emotional and physical depravation
• That the proper sharing of power and responsibility can alleviate disadvantage
• That early and open access to care may minimise the severity of mental distress
• That services provided for the mentally distressed should be of the highest quality
• That everyone should have the opportunity to develop in ways appropriate to their abilities and aspirations
• That mental distress affects people from all sections of society and that equality of opportunity should be built into every aspect of Wandsworth Mind

Objectives within the Constitution of Wandsworth Mind:

• To promote a positive understanding of mental distress through a process of education, campaigning and good practice
• To provide services to enable people who live in their own communities with stays in hospital avoided or reduced to a minimum
• To be sensitive and responsive to changing needs locally, nationally and internationally, and to be innovative in developing new services
• To promote excellence in all the services within the London Borough of Wandsworth