Founded in 1988, Changes has helped thousands of people within the area to 'live with' rather than 'suffer than', their mental distress, enabling them to get on with their lives. Recent national guidance for mental health promotion has highlighted the lack of public knowledge regarding mental health and mental health problems. Strengthening people's knowledge, skills and capacity to achieve their full potential, are all part of the Changes recovery programme.

The aim of Changes service is to provide an opportunity for those suffering from mental distress to move from isolation, withdrawal and dependency to becoming active and contributing members of their immediate and wider community.