GAMH has been providing social support services to the people
of Greater Glasgow since 1978. The organisation began life as a
small unincorporated association providing support and advocacy in
local community settings.
With the implementation of the Care in the Community legislation
in 1990, and again with the advent of the psychiatric hospital
closure programme, GAMH rapidly expanded the range and volume of
services provided. In 1995 GAMH became a company limited by
guarantee with its own Board of Directors (who are also the charity
Trustees.)
The organisation has a history of developing creative solutions to the needs of the communities it works within and the individuals and families it supports:
The first mental health project to specifically address the needs of Black and Ethnic Minority Communities was established by the Association in 1993.
Our Supported Accommodation Service evolved from one which operated on a group living and supported tenancy model into a modern Housing Support Service offered to people living in their own independent tenancies.
The first user led mental health advocacy service in Glasgow was developed in the mid nineties and has since become, with our support, an independent organisation, Advocacy Matters.
The first employability related mental health services, Clubhouses, in Glasgow were established by GAMH and Scotia Clubhouse is still managed by GAMH.
The Mental Health Forum established by GAMH in the early nineties to promote the voice and views of Service Users has become, with our support, the user led Mental Health Network, Greater Glasgow, an independent charitable organisation.
The specific needs of carers of people with mental health problems have been recognised by GAMH for many years. The organisation developed the first support service for mental health carers and the first support project for young carers in Glasgow.
Today, GAMH is adopting an enterprising approach to the work we do. We know that to achieve our mission and create opportunity for the people we support and represent we must develop new ways of earning our income. Our social aims will remain the priority however and our financial goals exist to ensure our success in benefiting the public.