Before mid 1980's not much was heard from caregiver groups - in fact they were a relatively insignificant force and generally ignored by Mental Health professionals. The nearest group to Thames/Coromandel was in Hamilton. As de-institutionalisation began, more and more responsibility for the mentally ill fell on the shoulders of the caregivers and families concerned. Little support was available to them and Mental Health professionals tended to patronise, and even blame families for the situations they found themselves in. In 1988 Community Mental Health in Thames set out to find out what the needs of this caregiver were and employed Paula Foreman on a part-time basis to research the issue. From this initiative came the regional network we now call PROP (People Relying on People). At first the main centres in the Thames/Coromandel/Hauraki Plains region held individual meetings with Paula facilitating. A newsletter was sent to all groups offering helpful advice, information and networking opportunities. In early 1989 a meeting was held in Whangamata at the home of Len Sutton to which all groups were invited. Community Mental Health attended also and promised to support a regional network and to hold a meeting, with caregivers and professionals face to face, to hear exactly what we felt to be needed, and to provide a forum for grievances. This proved to be a very emotional moment - with caregivers finally having a say, being heard and acknowledged by the Mental Health team. The group elected to call themselves "People Relying on People" (PROP) at that meeting. At this point Len became Co-ordinator of the group. To start with meetings were held monthly, in people's homes around the district, until we were able to secure rooms at Community Mental Health Services. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Len was forced to resign his position after a year. However, regular meetings continued and the membership of PROP grew steadily over the next few years. In fact it grew to the stage where it was realised by all, that the work load was too great to be maintained purely by a voluntary worker, and that it was time to become more professional and pay a co-ordinator for a set number of hours per week. So in 1993, a constitution was drawn up and a committee elected. Funding was applied for from organisations such as NZ Lottery, Welfare, McKenzie Trust and Trust Bank and a contract signed with Midland Health who realised the community need and were able to accept the viability and ability of PROP to fulfil a vital need. Up until 1993 PROP had been helped along with a one-off $1000 grant given to the group by Health Waikato in 1990. Community Mental Health were very supportive and helped out with photocopying and a venue for monthly meetings. Once funding had come through it was possible to employ the co-ordinator to work 24hrs per week. This arrangement continues to this day, with Diane Robinson currently employed in the position. The key to the success of PROP is its self-help aspect. Monthly meetings and regular newsletters keep members in touch with each other and informed on developments. Valuable information is also obtained from Guest Speakers at meetings. Such speakers being obtained from varied but relevant fields such as Mental Health and Pharmaceutical Companies. Members can now feel justifiably proud in that they are not only well informed but also pro-active in the care of family members and secure in the knowledge that ongoing consultation with mental health professionals results in the airing of individuals and group concerns. As a group PROP has worked to educate and inform the Public in an attempt to de-mystify the reality of mental illness. Workshops and the availability of written material has helped to lessen the stigma felt by many families and sufferers, as public ignorance is eroded. High profile cases which have made headline media news over the last few years have helped to highlight the tragic circumstances which can arise when caregivers are ignored by the authorities and individual cases mis-managed. PROP is there to support, advocate, lobby and provide caring help when needed.