Leeds MIND 25th Anniversary Tribute - In the Beginning

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Leeds MIND
           25th Anniversary Tribute

        In the Beginning ……

By Arthur Beels

Leeds MIND 25th Anniversary Tribute                              In the Beginning …

Preface

I hope you enjoy this anniversary tribute to 25 years of Leeds MIND. In 1997 Leeds MIND has grown
into a large dynamic organisation that contributes in many ways to the mental health of the people of
Leeds.
It outlines the initial work that planted the seeds for the flowering that we experience today and
acknowledges the vision and hard work of the early contributors.

So this Silver Anniversary is a celebration of those people known and unknown, who have contributed
in many, and varied ways.
Knowing where we have come from is an essential part of understanding where we are now and the
direction that we choose to go.

Ruth Steinburg
Manager of Information for Mental Health (A project of Leeds MIND).

                                                        If I am not for myself who will be for me?
                                                           If I am only for myself then what am I?
                                                                                    If not now, when?
(Rabbi Hillel, 1st Century)

                                                    2

Foreword

This short account show’s the aspirations and the work of the steering group that met in 1971 to
establish Leeds MIND in 1972. It concentrates on the provision of services, a Social Club, a Group
Home and a Day Centre. These were all functioning by 1973.

What has not been done is to give credit to the people who made it possible through financial support,
policy making and planning. Leeds MIND has been fortunate in the high quality of its volunteers and
paid staff. Dedication such as that shown by the contribution Dr Avis Dry has made since 1972 has
contributed to the work of the Association. This was recognised with the award of and OBE. Mary
Greenwood laid down the foundation for our residential services and Gael Lindenfield set up the Day
Care and Counselling services. There are many other, too many to mention individually, who have
attended Executive Committee meetings or given time to help in various projects.

In paying this tribute I must also mention the support that came from the statutory, health and welfare
services. They have all played a part in the ability of the Association to innovate and develop.

Sad to say, that although the needs of people with mental health problems are in some ways different to
those of 25 years ago, they are still acute. Leeds MIND plays a major role in meeting those needs with
the many services it provides. The last 25 years have been a period of constant development, and the
process goes on.

Acknowledgements
A number of people have given me assistance in preparing these notes. Alison Cobb of National MIND
helped with the background information on the national scene in the 1970’s. The staff at the Trent and
Yorkshire MIND regional office gave me access to the records of the Northern Office. Thanks to Ruth
Stienburg for editing and publishing. As ever I am amazed at the wealth of material in the Leeds
Central Reference Library. Individuals have also shared with me their perspectives on the development
of Leeds MIND. The version that I have produced is however my own.

In the Beginning …
Leeds, 11th April 1972.
The Yorkshire Evening Post encouraged its readers in an article with the headline, “WE CAN ALL DO
OUR BIT.” It suggested going along to the City Art Gallery where the inaugural meeting of the
proposed Leeds Association for Mental Health was to be held.
Who were those people? What did they want to do?
… “WE CAN ALL DO OUR BIT.”

                                                   4

THE LEEDS PICURE 1960/70’S
Menston Hospital situated between Leeds and Bradford, (now called High Royds) was the main centre
of treatment for people with mental health problems. It opened in 1888 as the West Ridings Pauper
Lunatic Asylum and it reached its peak in the 1950’s when it housed 2,500 patients. Friends of
Mentson Hospital gave evidence to the Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and
Mental Deficiency. They said “we would go as far as to say that the majority of mental patients are
accommodated in conditions of overcrowding that would not be tolerated in the case of cattle or race
horses.” They added “acting on behalf of that vast, voiceless multitude of mental patients, once said
by our chairman to be the legion of the lost, who are almost equal in number to all classes and
categories of hospital patient s combined.”

… the main emphasis changed
It was the Royal Commissions report, presented to parliament in 1957, which led to the Mental Health
Act 1959, that made liberalising changes in the law and pointed to care in the community as the
objective in the future. It was recognised that some psychiatric hospital provision would continue to be
needed, but the main emphasis changed to a range of treatments and after care facilities, including Day
Centres, Social Clubs, Hostel and group homes in the community.

By 1972 some progress had been made. Hospital populations had reduced locally and nationally, but at
Menston there were still 1,500 patients. Reasons for this decline in numbers are debated amongst
historians. At one extreme is the view that it was a new range of medications that made it possible for
people to be treated out of hospital and they did play a big part. Those opposing this view point out that
the move to the community was already taking place before the new drugs were introduced. The main
factors were a combination of social factors, including the countering of institutionalisation
There is also the effect of what became known as the anti – psychiatry movement. This saw
mainstream psychiatric treatment and hospitalisation in terms of “invalidation” and oppression.

… Serious concerns
Despite reductions in the hospital population there were serious concerns. A series of “hospital
scandals” led to Public Enquires where neglect, abuse and low standards of treatment and care were

revealed. It was difficult for some staff to adjust to more flexible ways of working. Their practice could
be described as paternalistic at best and at worst custodial. They saw the hospital as a place that could
provide at least the basics of food and shelter, while the outside world could mean isolation, desertion
and poverty. In popular parlance the locked door o f the asylum had been replaced by the revolving
door.

Patients were discharged from hospital often with no or little support only to return after being unable
to survive in the community.

So what about community support services? The intention to provide them was proclaimed. In some
parts of the country such as Salford, Camden and Bradford there were examples of good practise to be
found. However, the overall picture was a dismal one. The Seebohm Report was presented to
parliament in 1966 and there followed major and far reaching changes in the ways that the welfare
services were organised. A number of services were brought together to form social services
departments. The new social services involved what had formally been community mental health
services under the Public Health Department. These had served mentally ill and mentally handicapped
people. The majority of the new appointed directors of these departments and their senior managers had
formally been employed in the child care services. They therefore had limited knowledge of mental
health services or had established relationships with hospital consultants and managers. It has also been
claimed that it was the change from specialist to generic practice that led to a further depletion. (This
was to be reversed in later years.) As would be expected with such major changes there was
considerable “disorganisation.” Pending on mental health services tended to come low down on social
services’ budgets.

… Humane alternative
The final report of Leeds Medical Officer of Health showed that in 1971 the city was split into four
areas with a team of Mental Welfare Officers, supported by trainees and welfare assistants in each area.
They provided recourses for people with mental health problems and those who were mentally
handicapped. There were a total of 17 professional staff. Some were based at St James’ Hospital and
the rest at the Health Department at East Parade in the centre of Leeds. There were hostels that would
now be regarded as over large. Rutland Lodge had accommodation for 40 people, East Leeds 39 and

Armley Grange was the smallest with 14 beds. There was also a day centre for women at Wheatfields
and a therapeutic social club met once a week.

Although there were basic facilities by 1970’s organisations such as National Association for Mental
Health was calling for increases in civil liberties and for less regulated and less institutional provision.
Group home merged in the community that had up to four residents were seen as a more humane
alternative to hostels.

NATIONAL MIND IN LEEDS
The Northern Office of the national body had been in the city since 1954. The Carnegie Trust gave a
grant of £10,000 and with the co-operation of the University of Leeds a small office was set up in
Mount Preston. The work and staffing grew and there was a need for larger premises. The offices
moved to a building also owned by the University. This eventually came to play a major part in the
development of Leeds MIND and provided a base for the first Northern Office of the National MIND
that came out of a regional restructuring. This new office was 157 Woodhouse Lane. It was well
placed, just up the hill from the City centre, within sight of the University and over the road from the
BBC. It had a good range of rooms, well located for meetings ad housed the mail order centre for
MIND Publications. The regional office was also the base for the Northern Committee, inaugurated in
1954. Much of its work was running conferences and training events as well as promoting innovative
services.

… Promoting innovative services
The Local Associations in the North of England were developed from the Leeds office. They
helped new groups understand MINDS’s expectations in terms of principles and values, and
assisted in fund raising and how to approach the statutory sector. This support continued after
the Local Association was affiliated to National MIND. The Development Officer, at the time
the Leeds Steering Group was going through this stage, was John Crowley. John died just a
few days before he was due to retire. The John Crowley memorial lecture has been held
annually for a number of years as a way of making the significant part he played in the

establishing of Leeds MIND. This practice ha been revived for the AGM to mark our 25th
anniversary.

LEEDS WAS TARGETED
BY 1970 Mind was concerned at the slow rate of progress in the mental health services and
launched a national campaign. Edith Morgan, Deputy General Sectary with special
responsibility for the development of local associations and David, later Lord, Ennals met with
Civic leaders in 125 towns. Their visit to Leeds resulted in the City’ tasking part in a national
Mental Health week in February 1971.there was coverage on radio and television and each
town or City drew up its own programme of events. Here in Leeds there were open days in
hospitals, public forums, a conference for teachers and events at the University. As a result of
this activity 30 people expressed interest in working towards establishment of a MIND
Association in Leeds.

THE STEERING GROUP
A steering group was established with the help of John Crowley. This was the first step in meeting the

criteria for affiliation to National MIND. From the beginning there has been a … skills,

knowledge, commitment and experience
combination of skills, knowledge, commitment and experience that Leeds MIND has always been able
to call on. Members were drawn from health and welfare professions, the University and business as
well as people with direct experience of the effects of mental illness or mental handicap. There were
monthly steering group meetings ad sub groups that took fund raising, education as well as setting up a
group home and social club.

“FIGARO” COMES ON STAGE
Gael Hawkins, a psychiatric social worker had already identified the need for a social club.
Gael played a major part in the development of a range of services in Leeds Mind. She had
become concerned at the number of young people, often living in bed sitters and who became
a part of the “revolving door syndrome. She set up the first project in the month that Leeds
Mind inaugural meeting was held. Jack Charlton, the Leeds and England footballer opened
the Figaro Club at Oxford Place Chapel, on 16th April 1972. Initially the club had a nomadic
existence before it settled for a time in the basement of, what was then, the United Reform
Church beside Ashwood Villas, in Headingley. The club met one evening a week and had
activities on some weekends. It soon became clear that the club had valuable things to offer
and more was needed.

This was the first social club and was followed by two more. The Windmill Club was set up in
Otley by Magaretta McGown. The majority of club members were long stay patients who
welcomed the chance to leave High Royds for an evening and to mix with people who had no
connection with the hospital. The Yeadon Figaro opened in 1974, remained small and
provided a valuable service. Some of its members were living in the community after
spending many years In High Royds.

INAUGURATION AND AFFILIATION
It can be seen that the steering group worked well. The social club opened in the same month
that the inaugural meeting was held and progress towards a group home was quite advanced.
To get this far speaks well of the commitment invested in the group. All those who contributed
can’t be named but Miss Susan Finch, secretary and Mr John Richards, chair of the steering
group must be recorded. They were both on the staff of the University and most of the
meetings were held there.

A high level of recognition for the new group a can be seen from the list of those attending the
inaugural meeting. the work of National and regional MIND and its excellent reputation made

the idea of a local association in Leeds more acceptable. It was also attractive that the
voluntary sector had the ability to innovate at a faster rate than the statutory sector.

“…undertaking pioneer work”
The group made a bid to affiliate to national MIND and set out an ambitious list of objectives
including “…undertaking pioneer work” that still exists. In the autumn of 1972 National MIND
issued and outline of what it saw as “the Aims and Activities of a Local Association.” This
included “providing pleasant, supportive accommodation for men and women with mental
health problems.” this became the next Leeds MIND project.

THE FIRST GROUP HOME
At an early stage the steering group had asked Miss Mary Greenwood to join it. Mary was a
psychologist at High Royds Hospital and she had expressed an interest in a range of
rehabilitation ventures including a group home. She was encouraged in this by her head of
department Dr Avis Dry. Mary had made various visits to group homes in other parts of the
country and discussions held. Mary Greenwood wrote a seminal paper titled “Long Term
Mental Illness and the Good Life.” In this she stressed the need for volunteers in giving a
lengthy, stable period. This would aid the building up of trust and confidence for people who
were freeing themselves from the rigidity of institutional life. Her own willingness to be part of
this set an example.

…new lives in the community
The plan for a group home became a reality with the additional help of John Richards and
others. A terraced house in the Chapel Allerton area became available with co-operation with
the Leeds Housing Department. The furniture was supplied by Rotary who had declared
mental health their prime charity and by a grant from Leeds social services. Mary Greenwood
was given £250 for “essential items.” It was in November 1972 that four long stay patients left
High Royds, some after twenty years and started to make new lives in the community. The
process of settling in and continuing support was all done by voluntary effort led by Mary
Greenwood who was creating a network of group homes by this time. By 1980 there were

nine homes accommodating 34 people. The workers were from various short term
employment schemes such as STEP and Job Creation set up by the Government. However
these were time limited and, for group home tenants, stability and long term relationships
were essential. Volunteer input ensured this continuity and were part of policy and decision
making.

ASHWOOD DAY CENTRE – THE EARLY YEARS
When writing about the “Figaro” Club I noted that one evening a week was not sufficient to
counter the loneliness and isolation. Many of the ex-High Royds patients and people who, as
a result of depression or anxiety, felt unable to develop a satisfactory social life. The need for
a Day Centre was recognised and there were members of the Executive Committee who
were interested. However, they were in employment and unable to give the time. It was
necessary to look outside the organisation. Brother Roy France wanted to do voluntary work
and could do this during the day. He was from the Order of the Resurrection, a religious
foundation providing accommodation for theology students attending Leeds University. As a
result of planning meetings the centre that was to become “Ashwood Day Centre” opened two
days a week in November 1973 with Brother France as leader.

…the high level of services that it still provides
News of the new centre was broadcast on Radio Leeds and to other mental health services.
After a slow start the numbers grew and as they did so the limitations of the church premises
became apparent. There was just one basement room that had to be cleared after each
session and there was little sense of belonging or opportunity for ongoing activities. Change
can, as it has so often done in the history of Leeds MIND, through the aid of the Social
Services Department. Accommodation was offered at Buckingham House, almost within sight
of the Ashwood Centre. It had two large rooms as well as office space and a kitchen. They
also had sole use of the centre. Gael Hawkins (later Lindenfield) was its leader for five years
and it developed into the high level of service that it still provides today.

The Northern Committee

The year under review has seen the firm beginnings of work in the Northern area, and the
Northern Committee under the chairmanship of Dr James Valentine has had an active year.
On the 5th July 1954, the Committee held its inaugural meeting at the Banqueting Hall of the
Civic Hall at Leeds. The Lord Mayor presided and the chair was taken by Lord Feversham
with Dr. H. V. Dicks as the principle speaker. The meeting was excellently attended by 300
delegates from a large area and there was a lively discussion, giving heartening evidence of
the interests of local authorities, statutory bodies and voluntary associations in the work for
which the Northern Branch has been set up.

The first work which the Committee planned was in the field of general education and a panel
of speakers was established which was drawn on for a series of four lectures on the positive
aspects of mental health, organised in co-operation with the Dewsbury County Borough
Council and attended by 200 people. this was followed in the spring by a one-day conference
at the invitation of the Westmorland County Council on the theme “How can the Social
Services help the Mental Health of the Community?” Under the aspices of the York
Community Council, the York and District Association for Mental Health has been established
and encouragement has been given to Local Associations of Friends for Mental Hospitals.
Plans have laid in conjunction with the University of Leeds for a refresher course for mental
health workers, and in the early summer a meeting of representatives of Northern Local
Authorities was called, at which support for the proposed course was canvassed.

The Association would like to record it’s gratitude to the Northern Secretary, Mrs K. Callaway,
who has for nearly two years, single-handed under the directions of the Committee, laid sure
foundations for work in the North. It should also be recorded that at the time of writing a
psychiatric social worker, Mrs M. Crotty, has joined the staff. The Association now looks
forward to the fulfilment of the work prepared by the Northern Committee and also
acknowledges with gratitude the support of the Carnegie, Trust whose grant has made
possible this expansion of the Association’s work to the North of England.

From National Mind Annual Review

Aims and activities – an outline
Autumn 1972

Local Associations for Mental Health are voluntary organisations affiliated to the National Association
for Mental Health.

They share the aims of the national body. They provide a channel through which the ordinary person
can, in partnership with those trained in mental health work; help to improve the mental health of the
community.

Our educational work helps to dispel ignorance and prejudice which still surround mental disorder.
Their practical work provides help of a kind not available from statutory sources.

Examples of projects undertaken by local Associations at the present time include:

   •   Providing pleasant, supportive accommodation for men and women with mental health
       problems.

   •   Running social clubs for those recovering from mental breakdown

   •   Befriending lonely patients in hospital or in the community.

   •   Organising meetings, conferences and study courses on mental health.

   •   Helping with the employment problems of the mentally ill.

   •   Breaking down prejudice in the community.

This work is important. If you would like to have further information about it please write to your
nearest Association, or to:

The Local Associations Organiser,
National Association for Mental Health,
39 Queen Anne Street,
London
W1M 0AJ.

                                                   13

From Yorkshire Evening Post 1973

              Health man dies days before
                      retirement
Mr John Crowley, who was well known for his work throughout Yorkshire and Humberside in the field
of mental health has died just days before he was due to retire.

Mr Crowley, 62, of Langbar Towers, Whinmoor, Leeds moved with his family from Scotland to Leeds
23 years ago, when appointed field officer for the first Mind Office outside London. This had been set-
up in Leeds to cover the North of England.

His task was to establish Mind branches throughout the North. MIND is the National Association for
Mental Health.

Regional Director Mr. John Williams said the news has shocked and saddened staff.
“He was well loved and well known throughout the region,” said Mr Williams. “What’s so sad is that
he was due to retire.

Mr. Crowley held the post of community development worker for MIND for the Yorkshire and
Humberside region.

Mr. Crowley, a member of the Leeds Eastern Community Health Council for 18 months, had been
chairman for the past six months.

Mr Graham Hoult, secretary of the CHC, said: “It has come as a great shock.”
“He was a nice man who’ll be missed very much. He was very much respected for his work in mental
health.

Mr Crowley began working with MIND after taking a course at the Catholic Workers’ College in
Oxford.

                                                  14

Draft Constitution
Leeds Association for Mental Health

1. Name The mane of the Association shall be Leeds Association for Mental
Health and it shall consist of all full members of the Local
Association. It shall meet as required but not less than once a
year.
2. Area The area of the Association shall include provisionally the City of
Leeds and the immediate surrounding areas.
3. Object The object of the Association shall be to promote mental health in
every way and may include:
Co-operating with Regional Hospital Boards, Teaching Hospitals,
Hospital Management committees, Local Authorities, Voluntary
Organisations and other bodies in supplementing the provision of
Mental Health Services, by undertaking pioneer work in this
connection, and also by undertaking statutory and other duties if
requested by these bodies.
Providing a focus for information, research, education and propaganda in the
field of mental health.
Providing a meeting ground for those engaged in work connected with mental
health, where medical, educational or social, and fostering and developing an
interest in this work.
Providing for educational activities, e.g. lectures, courses, conferences, etc.
Encouraging suitable persons to seek training for work in the field of mental
health.
Undertaking, accepting and executing any trusts or obligations that may seem to
be generally in accordance with the promotion of the objects of the Local
Associations.
4. Membership (a) Full membership shall be open to individuals on payment of a
minimum annual subscription which shall be determined from
time to time by a general meeting. Other organisations can be
affiliated to the association at a minimum affiliation fee which
shall be determined from time to time.

Leeds mind on server/organisation documents/leeds mind history

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