In 2002, Michael Eavis opened the newly built Mendip Vale Workshops. Mendip Vale was a charitable trust that provided sheltered employment in the local area for 50 clients recovering from mental health problems. This was a continuation of the work carried out within the Mendip Hospital, which closed in 1989.
In 2010, Mendip Vale lost all government funding, with all staff being made redundant. The building was kept running by a Trustee and 2 volunteers, but they were unable to offer any specialised mental health services.
In January 2012, Bridget Harvey and Sally Dempsey, with the help of Trustees Wendy Attridge and Sean o’Callaghan, re-opened the workshops under the name Heads Up. We had minimal financial backing but were supported by a small, dedicated group of volunteers and the local community.
From that modest beginning, Heads Up now has a full team of qualified staff and committed volunteers. Since our formation, Heads Up has been inundated with referrals and self-referrals from people within the local community. For many, we have provided a vital lifeline by encouraging recovery and wellbeing through our workshops and activities.