Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c1886-1994 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
59 boxes, 1 outsize box, 5 folders, 1 outsize folder, 3 microfilms and 1 roll.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Mental After Care Association (MACA) was founded in 1879 by Henry Hawkins, Chaplain of Colney Hatch Asylum, as The After Care Association for Poor and Friendless Female Convalescents on Leaving Asylums for the Insane. Its aims were to provide an alternative to the workhouse for those discharged from asylums by offering a period of convalescence in the homes of private individuals. The ex-patients were given advice, money, clothing, and assisted to find suitable work. The name changed in 1892 when "Friendless" was dropped from the title. In 1893 the Association opened its own home for ex-patients in Redhill, Surrey. It was the first convalescent home for the mentally ill in England and closed in 1895. The Association's name changed again in 1894 when "Female" was dropped from the title. In 1914 the Association became The Mental After Care Association for Poor Persons Convalescent or Recovered from Institutions for the Insane. During World War One (1914-1918) the Association helped shell shock and air raid victims. In the 1930s the Association moved into preventive care, and also provided holiday accommodation for those not ready to leave hospital on a permanent basis. The Association became MACA in 1940. It registered as a limited company in 1949. In the 1960s chronic patients were accommodated in homes administered by MACA. More recently MACA has participated in community and respite care projects. In 2005 MACA became Together: Working for Wellbeing.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0120 SA/MAC c1886-1994 Collection (fonds) 59 boxes, 1 outsize box, 5 folders, 1 outsize folder, 3 microfilms and 1 roll. Mental After Care Association
The Mental After Care Association (MACA) was founded in 1879 by Henry Hawkins, Chaplain of Colney Hatch Asylum, as The After Care Association for Poor and Friendless Female Convalescents on Leaving Asylums for the Insane. Its aims were to provide an alternative to the workhouse for those discharged from asylums by offering a period of convalescence in the homes of private individuals. The ex-patients were given advice, money, clothing, and assisted to find suitable work. The name changed in 1892 when "Friendless" was dropped from the title. In 1893 the Association opened its own home for ex-patients in Redhill, Surrey. It was the first convalescent home for the mentally ill in England and closed in 1895. The Association's name changed again in 1894 when "Female" was dropped from the title. In 1914 the Association became The Mental After Care Association for Poor Persons Convalescent or Recovered from Institutions for the Insane. During World War One (1914-1918) the Association helped shell shock and air raid victims. In the 1930s the Association moved into preventive care, and also provided holiday accommodation for those not ready to leave hospital on a permanent basis. The Association became MACA in 1940. It registered as a limited company in 1949. In the 1960s chronic patients were accommodated in homes administered by MACA. More recently MACA has participated in community and respite care projects. In 2005 MACA became Together: Working for Wellbeing.
Records deposited in 1994, following a survey in 1987.
Papers of the Mental After Care Association (MACA), c 1886-1994, comprising the constitution and background, c 1886-1992; annual reports, 1887-1993; minutes, 1921-1982; financial records, c1880-1987; administrative records, 1891-c1990; records relating to homes and hostels administered by MACA, including property documents and registers of individual residential homes in the South of England, 1910-1992; case records, 1888-1986; publicity material, publications including Journal of Mental Science containing papers by Henry Hawkins, and ephemera including scrapbooks, c1880-1994; and photographs and audio-visual material, 1927-1989.
Duplicate and ephemeral items have been weeded.
As outlined in Scope and Content.
Certain restrictions apply. Papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking. Some files are subject to Restricted Access for 84 years from the last date on the file. Readers may apply to consult this material by completing a Restricted Access application form.
Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.
English
1 outsize box, 5 folders, 1 outsize folder, 3 microfilms and 1 roll. The scrapbooks are too fragile to be produced and Readers are requested to order the microfilm version instead.
The scrapbooks are too fragile to be produced and are available on microfilm (AMS/MF/84-86).
Jennifer Smith, 'Forging the 'missing link': the significance of the Mental After Care Association archive', History of Psychiatry vol 8, Sep 1997, pp 407-420.
Compiled by Anya Turner.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
June 2008 Mental After Care Association x The After Care Association for Poor and Friendless Female Convalescents on Leaving Asylums for the Insane x The Mental After Care Association for Poor Persons Convalescent or Recovered from Institutions for the Insane x Together: Working for Wellbeing Health services War International conflicts Hawkins , Henry , fl 1879 , clergyman and founder of The After Care Association for Poor and Friendless Female Convalescents on Leaving Asylums for the Insane Care Aftercare Health Mental health Pathology Mental diseases Psychopathology Psychiatry Legislation Law Convalescence Diseases Wars (events) World wars (events) World War One (1914-1918) Construction engineering Building design Building standards Accommodation Housing Residential care homes
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Records deposited in 1994, following a survey in 1987.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of the Mental After Care Association (MACA), c 1886-1994, comprising the constitution and background, c 1886-1992; annual reports, 1887-1993; minutes, 1921-1982; financial records, c1880-1987; administrative records, 1891-c1990; records relating to homes and hostels administered by MACA, including property documents and registers of individual residential homes in the South of England, 1910-1992; case records, 1888-1986; publicity material, publications including Journal of Mental Science containing papers by Henry Hawkins, and ephemera including scrapbooks, c1880-1994; and photographs and audio-visual material, 1927-1989.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Duplicate and ephemeral items have been weeded.
Accruals
System of arrangement
As outlined in Scope and Content.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Certain restrictions apply. Papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking. Some files are subject to Restricted Access for 84 years from the last date on the file. Readers may apply to consult this material by completing a Restricted Access application form.
Conditions governing reproduction
Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
The scrapbooks are too fragile to be produced and are available on microfilm (AMS/MF/84-86).
Related units of description
Jennifer Smith, 'Forging the 'missing link': the significance of the Mental After Care Association archive', History of Psychiatry vol 8, Sep 1997, pp 407-420.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Health services
- International conflicts » War
- International conflicts
- Health
- Health » Mental health
- Pathology
- Psychiatry » Psychopathology » Mental diseases
- Psychiatry » Psychopathology
- Psychiatry
- Law » Legislation
- Law
- Pathology » Diseases
- Construction engineering
- Construction engineering » Building design
- Construction engineering » Building design » Building standards
- Housing
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English