The History
It’s almost 30 years since Making Space was born and a lot has happened since then.
Far too much, in fact, to cover here in all its detail. So, to provide an easier overview, we’ve produced a timeline highlighting the significant milestones in our history to date.
1982 - With only £1,200 David Lyne establishes the forerunner of Making Space - the North West Fellowship (NWF) .The NWF is formed in Warrington after the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, where David is a group development officer, makes a decision at an Extraordinary General Meeting to close its regional offices. A NWF management committee chaired by the inspirational Frank Goodier is set up and, with around 100 members at this time, the organisation is driven, as it is today, by a real determination to make life better for people who have mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia - and to support those people's carers.
1983 - Significant funding from Allied Dunbar helps the Charity to grow its turnover from £25,000 in the first year to over £280,000 in year two.
1984 - 1988 A first 'tender' for supported housing is won. Noelle Chesworth-Wigger, based in Stockport is the organisation’s first carer support worker. The first day service is set up in Skelmersdale. Supported housing and residential services become a main feature of service provision. A membership of interested people in the services of the NWF grows to 3,000.
1989 - Current CEO, Elaine Parker-Johnson, joins the charity.
1990 - A national vision for services is taking shape as a new office in Yorkshire is opened and the North West Fellowship becomes 'Making Space'. Wigan, Wirral and St Helens Community Care are part of the evolving organisation. Making Space's first employment development service is set up in Warrington.
1991 – 2000 Employee numbers and services grow strongly. The Community Care Act 2002 is introduced heralding a growing need for Making Space services. More supported housing and residential services are up and running (by the end of the decade these would include Greengate House and Rivacre as well as Palmyra House, Kingshill and The Limes, in Burnley). In 2000 Making Space launches its first Independent Hospital at Ashwood Court. Making Space’s first ‘workspace’ is created in Blackpool with funding from the local authority and engaging local businesses in projects to help build the skills and confidence of people with mental health conditions.
2001 – After 17 years of devotion and having seen the charity grow to a turnover of more than £8million from his initial £1,200, David Lyne leaves Making Space. His service is recognised today in the current head office address - 'Lyne House'. A new CEO, Ian Rush, takes over and with the growth in turnover the old management committee evolves into a Board of Trustees. Making Space is awarded the first part of 'Investors in People' status.
2002 – 2003 The approach to Mental Health is beginning to become a major consideration in national government policy and strategy. The Care Standards Act becomes Law.
2004 - Elaine Parker-Johnson becomes CEO and Making Space really begins to plan for a national provision of services. An Executive Management Team is appointed to manage the expanding services.
2005 - 2007 Elaine Parker-Johnson is appointed Chair of the Mental Health Providers Forum – consolidating Making Space’s role as a partner with all of the leading organisations in UK mental health care provision. Making Space makes a decision to expand its remit to provide services for people who have learning disabilities and also those people with dementia. The organisations Memorandum and Articles are adapted to meet these aims.
2008 - Making Space opens its first independent dementia hospital at Monet Lodge in Manchester. A new domiciliary care service is set up in Bolton.
2009 – 2010 'Personalisation' - putting people in charge of their own care provision with personalised budgets - is becoming a feature of central government policy for people with mental health conditions. This approach to is further reinforced as Making Space embarks on a full consultation with the people who use its services, and its staff about the best way to adopt innovative treatments and therapies into the future - an ongoing process outlined in a Service User Involvement Strategy document produced in April 2010. Full 'Investors In People' status is awarded. £5million of new contract wins and acquisitions set Making Space up for its mission to help all people who have mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia – and the people who care for them – to have the freedom to enjoy an everyday life.