In November 1981 the Centre was started by local people who recognised that there was need for additional support for people with mental health problems in Durham. It began in a very small way as a day centre run by volunteers open one day a week. It was the members of Waddington Street United Reformed Church that offered their church hall for this purpose. Because of the close location of the County Hospital which until recently was the main psychiatric hospital for in patient and out patient treatment in the area (now located at the Lanchester Road Hospital on the Earls House site) and the close proximity of the bus and rail station and Durham city centre it was seen as a good location. It developed almost immediately and, in response to the considerable demand, funding became available and the day centres provision in the church hall was expanded and opened for 5 days a week.

In 1988 the house next to the church was purchased and renovated with assistance from the health authority and due to the increased need in 1994 the adjoining property was also purchased. These 2 houses provided space to accommodate a resource centre with facilities for education, computer training, and arts and craftwork and a drop in open in the evenings.
                                         
In 1997 funding was secured from the Big Lottery Fund (then the National Lottery Charities Board) to meet the cost of reconstructing the houses. They were combined to form one building, a new floor was added and the building extended to the rear. The building was designed to ensure a high degree of accessibility with ramp access, a lift and facilities for people with restricted mobility. After the construction work was completed in October 1998 all the activities of the Centre were consolidated onto one site and the day provision was moved from the church hall to the new building.

The resource centre now operates 5 days a week and all service users are referred by mental health care professionals. The resource centre offers social day care and support and has a cafe facility and a commercial print shop. The cafe is operated by partner organisation Deli Delights and the Printshop by Inkpot Design Solutions. A wide range of educational courses are offered at the resource centre including life skills, personal development, healthy lifestyles, life long learning and arts of all sorts.

Over the years the Centre has responded to the increasing and changing needs of its members. Up to 140 people regularly use the Centre's facilities and services and it has come to be widely recognised for the provision of reliable and sustainable support.

Key Milestones of Waddington Street Centre

Future Plans...........