Islington MIND has developed into one of the major mental health service providers in the borough. We have listened closely to mental health service users in Islington and responded with a range of services which reflect both statutory priorities and local need.

	We have a vibrant Day Centre in the north of the Borough which provides a range of activities which are all designed to encourage recovery. We have separate days for Women and Lesbian and Gay people (Outcome).
	People who have mental health problems and are in hospital often need the help of an advocate. Our Advocacy Service provides in-patients at the 3 hospital sites with the skills to represent themselves and have their views heard. Once out of hospital, many service users need to integrate again.
	Our Employment project is integral to many service users' recovery programmes and MINDWorks enables people to develop IT skills. Together they improve both self confidence and employment prospects.
	Staying out of hospital is an ongoing issue for many service users, we have a year long series of workshops that are aimed at just that, the Coming Home Staying Home series is available 6 times in the year. Sometimes volunteering is a first step to getting back into active community life.
	Our Stepping Out service offers volunteering opportunities and training to individuals wishing to work closely with a service user in a befriending capacity. New Horizons is a self harm support project for 16-25 year olds.
	Talking to someone is recognised as a major element in the recovery process and our Counselling service offers a 20 week programme of counselling to allow people to talk through their major difficulties and problems.
	If things are critical then our Crisis Line is available to people on an immediate basis. Of course lots of people need mental health Information which is always available from the friendly, well informed staff in our head office.