“A few years ago, I was struggling badly with my mental health to the point where I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I was off work for several months and I needed some extra support. When you’re struggling with your mental health, feeling isolated is the worst thing. But at the Hub, I met other people who were going through similar experiences, so I didn’t feel so alone.” (Clare, Hub client)

Our History

During the 1980s, a small group of people, with children who had mental health problems, started meeting informally as they were concerned about the lack of mental health services in the community surrounding the Tunbridge Wells area. There were very few specific services in the area that were non-clinical at the time and so this group of residents wanted to build a new mental health resource centre, a safe and caring environment for people suffering from mental ill health, to increase their self-confidence and feel a full and valued member of society.

The Resource Centre initially grew out of a lunchtime group staffed by two people funded from Social Services that met at the Friends Meeting House in Grosvenor Park. It met twice per week and members (as they were described) would participate in activities and the shopping and preparation of a meal for each other. There was a small charge for the meal.

Mental Health Resource opens

Mental Health Resource, then known as Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource, (or TWMHR) was established in 1993, due to this evident lack of somewhere for people who were described at the time as having severe and enduring Mental Health problems to go. 

The Trustees of the Charity negotiated a Mental Health Capital Grant to purchase and renovate 2a Grosvenor Park that stemmed from funds generated from the closure and sale of Oakwood Hospital in Maidstone. This also came with an annual grant from Social Services attached to a Service Specification.

And so, with funding from Kent County Council, The Resource Centre (now known as The Hub), opened on 10th November 1995. 

In it's first year, the Hub supported 25-30 people but as we grew, so did our services.

Last year, we supported 931 people who have a wide range of mental health issues, ranging from anxiety and depression to bi-polar and borderline personality disorder.

A timeline of our services

• 1993: Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource is established.
• 1995: The Hub is opened on 10th November.
• 1996: Our first Reachout group is launched.
• 1997: Our Assert project (IMHA and Community Advocacy) was launched.
• 2016: With funding from the Combined Members Grant, a pilot Reachout Youth project is launched in Tunbridge Wells and Edenbridge. 
• 2017: With funding from the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Fund, an out-of-hours service is opened- the Serenity Cafe.
• 2019: We re-launch as 'Mental Health Resource'.
• 2020: Remain operational during Covid & lockdowns, helping to provide essential services online and face-to-face.
• 2023: A new Tonbridge Reachout Youth group is launched.
• 2023: The Hub project wins National Lottery Funding for 3 years.

Recognition of our work

We are delighted to be recognised for our achievements in providing safe spaces and person-centred mental health support in our community to help people improve their wellbeing.

• Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards Highly Commended 2023
• Love Where We Live Awards Finalist for 'Charity of the Year' - 2020. 
• Kent Charity Awards Winner 'Disability Charity of the Year'- 2019
• Gerald Turley Recognition Award  to acknowledge the impact and benefits we deliver to our community - 2018
• Love Where We Live Awards Finalist for 'Charity of the Year' - 2018. 
• Special Recognition Award for our Founding Director, David Hardie in the 'Love Where we Live' - 2018.