Mental Health Resource is now closed.
An announcement from the Board of Trustees
Since 1993, Mental Health Resource has been dedicated to supporting people to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. We have proudly delivered free services throughout West Kent, created safe spaces for people and provided on-going, person-centred care.
It is therefore with deep sadness that the Trustees of Mental Health Resource made the difficult decision to close the charity and Mental Health Resource stopped delivering services on 30 January 2026.
We are immensely proud of all that has been achieved over the past 30 years and how we have helped to improve the mental wellbeing of thousands of people through the provision of wellbeing groups, activities, peer support groups, information and 1-1 support. Our heartfelt thanks go to our incredible team, whose dedication and compassion have been the heart of Mental Health Resource. We are also deeply grateful to our funders, partners, volunteers, fundraisers, corporate partners and everyone in our community who has supported us throughout our journey.
Our story
Our story began in the 1980s, when a small group of Tunbridge Wells residents, including our Co-Founders David Hardie (pictured left with Judy and Len Horwood), Olga Clarke and Rev Brian Gant, came together in response to the lack of mental health support in the area. Their vision was to create a safe, caring environment where people experiencing mental ill health could rebuild confidence and feel valued within their community.
What started as a small lunchtime group meeting at the Friends Meeting House in Grosvenor Park grew into Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource, formally established in 1993. With funding from Kent County Council, The Hub opened on 10 November 1995.
In its first year, the Hub supported around 25–30 people. In 2025, we supported over 900 individuals and over the years, our services expanded to include Reachout groups, advocacy services, youth projects, out-of-hours crisis support, and continued face-to-face care throughout the Covid pandemic.
David often described our work as “putting arms of support around those who need it most," and for over three decades, we have supported tens of thousands of people — and we know this work has changed, and saved, lives.
Mental Health Resource has been shaped by the dedication, compassion, and resilience of all our incredible staff and volunteers, many of whom will be supporting people right up until our final day on Friday. Our legacy is not just measured in numbers. It lives on in the confidence rebuilt, the crises survived, the connections formed, and the sense of hope restored. It is reflected in the countless individuals who felt seen, supported, and valued at their most vulnerable moments — and in the knowledge that this charity has saved lives.
Thank you to our amazing community of supporters for helping this charity flourish. Thank you to our incredible clients for allowing us to be part of your journey. And thank you to everyone who believed in our mission and advocated for better mental health.