Lifecraft is a Cambridge based self-help organisation run by users and ex-users of mental health services.

We provide social contact, weekly group activities and support, counselling, information, website, quarterly newsletter and some opportunities for work.

A unique feature of Lifecraft is that it is based on the idea of self-help, which means that over 50% of the trustees, and current staff have experienced mental health issues. All Lifecraft services have developed over the years as a response to what people who use the organisation need. It is a genuinely grass roots organisation that is user-led. Members are able to move from attending the social club to volunteering to undertaking paid work for Lifecraft and ultimately towards gaining part and full-time employment elsewhere.

Lifecraft has over 200 members across Cambridgeshire and we are still inviting applications for membership. Last year Lifeline took over 3000 calls between 7pm and 11pm, 365 days a year. Lifecraft provides up to 30 free counselling sessions, popular activity groups from Monday to Friday and following a major refurbishment of our kitchen an evening meal service was started in 2007. Lifecraft members have produced theatre plays, staged art exhibitions and produced a CD containing poetry and music written and performed by people with mental health needs. The new grant funding from Comic Relief will enable Lifecraft to continue its vital campaigning work and our Open Your Mind exhibition is helping to increase general mental health awareness and understanding.

How do I become a member of Lifecraft?

Just contact us by telephone on 01223 566957 or in writing. No professional referral is required but to be eligible for membership you must have had or are still suffering from mental distress.

You will be asked to complete a membership form and invited to attend an introductory meeting with members and staff from Lifecraft. All information provided is confidential and protected by the Data Protection Act.

When asked what does Lifecraft mean to our members we received the following quotes.

“Lifecraft is the only place I can go to and feel at home and well loved. Closing at the weekend will be a big blow to me.”

 “Lifecraft enables me to feel alive in so many ways and to feel part of a community.”

 “Warmth, friendship, tea, counselling. ACCEPTANCE.”

We asked our members how they would feel if Lifecraft no longer existed.

 “I would be lonely to the point of suicide and there would be no one I could tell.”

 “Without the support of Lifeline I would be sorely troubled possibly ending up back in hospital”

 “There is no other organisation that can replace Lifecraft.”