History of Community Meeting Point

Community Meeting Point started in Harpenden on the initiative of two local couples who both had sons suffering from long-term mental health problems.  Their illness meant that they became socially isolated, struggled with unemployment and lacked motivation and structure in their daily lives. 

At the same time, as a result of the Community Care Act many people with mental health problems were being discharged from long stay hospitals into local communities.  There were however, very few services available to meet the diverse and individual needs of these individuals. 

It was at this time that Community Meeting Point came into being to try and fill the gap, providing a focal point where people experiencing mental health problems could receive friendship, stimulation, support, and the opportunity of learning new skills and achieving things that were important to them. 
 
We originally operated from 40 Luton Road, Harpenden in 1991. We stayed here until the building was sold by the NHS in 2000.  We then rented premises at Unit 5, Bowers Parade, Harpenden but had to leave this site in 2008 as the building was being re-developed.   We then moved to Marlborough House in Wheathampstead on a temporary basis until we could return home to Harpenden.

We finally returned to Harpenden in August 2011 where we introduced improved opportunities to our members.  Our new ‘hub model’ not only includes a new versatile centre for our members but also has an adjoining retail unit where members have the opportunity to gain real work experience and at the same time we are able to gain additional revenue to support our work.