A mental health charity that is losing its Greenwich base after 46 years because of council cuts has found a new home close by.

Greenwich Mind first moved into two terraced houses in Ormiston Road, next to Westcombe Park station, in 1979. 

But Greenwich Council plans to sell the houses as part of its plans to close a £33 million budget gap.

What is now known as South East London Mind will move to the Forum on Trafalgar Road, about half a mile from Ormiston Road. The move is expected to be complete by August.

Ormiston Road was originally the HQ of Greenwich Mind, which after two mergers is now part of an organisation covering most of southeast London, providing mental health and dementia services. 

The council originally took the decision to sell in 2019, but announced it as part of a wider property strategy in October last year. Other sales include car parks in Charlton, Blackheath and Plumstead, while the strategy has since been expanded to include the former equestrian centre at Shooters Hill.

A council spokesperson said in a statement issued by South East London Mind:  “Our priority is always the health and wellbeing of our communities. 

“We’re extremely grateful for all the work that South East London Mind do in our borough and after years of supporting the charity with its accommodation in Ormiston Road, we’ve worked hard to work alongside them to find a new home that means South East London Mind’s vital work can continue for years to come in a property fit for the residents it will support.”

South East London Mind told The Greenwich Wire last year that it had been in talks with the council about refurbishing or selling the property since 2018.

Shukri Mohamed, its head of services in Greenwich, said: “We know leaving Ormiston Road, our home for four decades, will be difficult. But I believe this move presents us with opportunities to connect with more members of our community. South East London Mind’s promise to stand by people with mental health problems and dementia isn’t tied to a building. Our support is about people, and that will always be our priority.”

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