Consumer-Run Drop-In Centres
Consumer-run drop-in centres are physical spaces where individuals with shared experiences, such as mental health challenges or other disabilities, can come together in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. These centres are typically operated and managed by individuals who have lived experiences as consumers or users of mental health services or other support systems. The primary purpose of consumer-run drop-in centres is to provide a safe and welcoming space for people to socialise, access resources, and engage in various activities that promote wellness and recovery. Features of consumer-run drop-in centres may include:
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Peer Support: One key aspect of these centres is the presence of trained peer support specialists who can relate to the visitors' experiences. They offer empathetic listening, understanding, and encouragement to help individuals cope with challenges and share their stories.
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Non-clinical Environment: Drop-in centres are intentionally designed to feel informal and non-clinical, creating a more comfortable and accepting visitor atmosphere.
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Recreational and Educational Activities: These centres often organise recreational and educational activities, such as workshops, group discussions, arts and crafts, games, and movie screenings, to foster social connections and personal growth.
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Resource Hub: Consumer-run drop-in centres may serve as resource hubs, providing information about mental health services, community support, housing options, and other relevant resources.
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Advocacy and Empowerment: These centres may also engage in advocacy efforts to promote the rights and well-being of individuals with lived experiences, empowering visitors to take charge of their recovery and self-care.
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Flexibility and Inclusivity: Drop-in centres typically offer flexible hours to accommodate the diverse needs and schedules of their visitors. They strive to be inclusive and welcome individuals from various backgrounds and communities.
Consumer-run drop-in centres play a vital role in complementing traditional mental health services by offering a unique space where individuals can connect with others who share similar experiences, reducing social isolation and stigma. These centres contribute to the empowerment and recovery of individuals by providing opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and building supportive networks.
TEMHCO's Drop In Service
TEMHCO’s drop-in service is open to all community members seeking informal information about community services, referral pathways, local events, and opportunities to connect with other community groups. The drop-in service provides a relaxed, welcoming space where people can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and have a chat. It allows individuals to share their stories and receive non-clinical, peer-led support and guidance in a safe, supportive environment.
Community Wellness Centers
CSPNJ’s Community Wellness Centers are designed to empower people in recovery to realize a lifestyle centered on wellness, a balanced state of social, spiritual, financial, occupational, environmental, intellectual, emotional and physical health. CSPNJ oversees the operation of 18 community-based, peer-run centers, including three on grounds at the State Hospitals (Ancora, Trenton, and Greystone).
Dutchess County Crisis Stabilisation Center
The Dutchess County Crisis Stabilization Center is a 24/7 community crisis response hub where people of all ages can connect immediately with an integrated team of counselors, peer specialists, and behavioral health professionals. Children or adults experiencing emotional distress, psychiatric symptoms, substance use challenges, or other life stressors can receive onsite care and support.
The Crisis Support Center is a 24/7 community crisis response hub where people of all ages can connect immediately with an integrated team of counselors, peer specialists, and behavioral health professionals. Children or adults experiencing emotional distress, psychiatric symptoms, substance use challenges, or other life stressors can receive confidential onsite care and support for up to 24 hours.
Recovery Hub Charlotte Peer Support Center
The Charlotte Recovery Hub is a welcoming community space to connect, learn, and find support through peer relationships, classes, events, and resources. Their walk-in space is here if you want to build connections, explore creativity, learn new skills, and access resources. Their Hub exists to bring people together, nurture a sense of belonging, and encourage growth through shared lived experience.
Recovery Hub Raleigh Peer Support Center
The Raleigh Recovery Hub is a welcoming community space to connect, learn, and find support through peer relationships, classes, events, and resources. Their walk-in space is here if you want to build connections, explore creativity, learn new skills, and access resources. Their Hub exists to bring people together, nurture a sense of belonging, and encourage growth through shared lived experience.
Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association's Peer Center
Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association’s (TMHCA) Peer Center is a place designed for individuals that have received mental health services, past or present, eighteen years of age or older. It is a mechanism for social change with an extraordinary value placed on education, independence and recovery.
Wellness and Recovery Resource Centers
WV Recovers affiliates with a network of peer-run Wellness and Recovery Resource Centers &
Recovery Community Organizations providing peer support and recovery-oriented services within their communities supporting community practice standards modeling CAPRSS guidelines. Centers are independent 501(c)(3) nonprofits or projects of tax free organizations
Springfield “Bowen” Center
The Bowen Community Center opened in Springfield in May of 2009. Located on the South end of Main Street, it was situated directly between McDonalds and the Housing Advocacy Program (HAP). The center was developed in collaboration with the Wildflower Alliance’s sister community, Leadership, Employment, Advocacy and Development (LEAD) and was named after Shelly Bowen, a founding member of the Guiding Council of Western Mass (GCOW) who spoke frequently of having a Wildflower Alliance community center based in Springfield before she passed away in 2008. The center offered a variety of supports, including peer support by phone and in person, a computer lab with four computers, a lending library and a variety of workshops, community meetings and other activities. Above all else, it was intended to create a safe space within which our community can come together, heal, share, support, learn from and strengthen one another.
Greenfield Center
The Western Mass RLC moved into their first center space in July of 2011, having previously shared space next door with the Recover Project. This space was located on Federal Street near the heart of downtown Greenfield. The space offered access to peer support by phone and in person, access to a resource computer and a lending library, and a variety of workshops, community meetings and other activities. Above all else, it was intended to offer a safe space within which our community can come together, heal, share, support, learn from and strengthen one another.
Holyoke
The Holyoke Center was the first to open, back in July of 2007. Located on the third floor of the Caledonian building on High Street in Holyoke, the center was in the same building as the Massachusetts Rehabilitation’s Holyoke offices and across the street from the Social Security Administration. The center offered a variety of supports, including peer support by phone and in person, a computer lab with five computers, a lending library and a variety of workshops, community meetings and other activities. Each room was also dedicated to someone who has touched the lives of our community through their advocacy, courage and compassion. Above all else, it was intended to create a safe space within which our community can come together, heal, share, support, learn from and strengthen one another.
Pittsfield
The Berkshire County Center was first based in donated space at the St. Stephen’s Parish before finding an independent spot on North Street next to Pancho’s Restaurant in Pittsfield. It then moved briefly to a spot next to Cumberland Farms on 1st Street, and spent some time operating out of a single tiny room back at the North Street location.
Kaleidoscioe Center
Connect, share, and thrive with fellow peers at the vibrant drop-in center. Whether you need to use the drop in center resources to cope with a current stressor in your life, or to maintain emotional wellness, peer supporters will be here to offer community and support. Their peer supporters are trained members of the community who have experienced challenges related to trauma, substance use, or other difficult life circumstances.
The Lived Experience Hub maps 17 consumer-run drop-in centres, showcasing a diverse range of models—from crisis centres to recovery hubs and state-wide initiatives. While this represents only a small proportion of the hundreds of consumer-run spaces operating across regions, states, and provinces worldwide, it highlights the breadth of what is possible. These centres embody inclusive, lived experience–led models of recovery, providing welcoming, in-person environments where consumers can access support, connection, and community
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