Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service (LSLCS) was set up in 1999 by a group of service users, who had campaigned for five years to develop the service.  Initially, the service was run in partnership with Social Services, becoming a registered charity in 2001.  The service was set up to be a place of sanctuary, which was an alternative to hospital admission and statutory services for people in acute mental health crisis.  The service was established, and continues to be governed and managed, by people with direct experience of mental health problems.  We have our own unique perspectives on what it feels like to be in crisis and what helps and does not help.  We have developed our service based on this knowledge and experience, while responding to the needs articulated by our visitors and callers.

We are part of a network of mental health services in Leeds.  We liaise with and undertake joint work with other services, while maintaining our identity as an innovative, service user led voluntary sector organisation.