Organizational Essence
Vision icon

Vision

Persons with Mental Illness are entitled to equal rights to lead a life of good quality and live in the community. This will be ensured by providing suitable models of care that are aimed at equal opportunity by means of affordable, acceptable and committed treatment options.

Mission icon

Mission

To provide accessible and quality psychiatric rehabilitation services, reduce stigma surrounding Mental Illness, network with various organisations for training and sensitization activities, develop manpower in the field and make relevant research contributions.

Reach icon

Reach

As a founding member of the Richmond Fellowship Asia Pacific Forum, we collaborate globally. Headquartered in Bangalore, our National Board oversees operations, with branches in Bangalore, Delhi, Sidlaghatta, and Lucknow.

Our Facilities
ASHA Halfway Home A rehabilitation center supporting 28 residents on their wellness journey. JYOTHI Long Stay Home Providing extended support for 17
residents, facilitating life rebuilding. CHETANA Day Care Centre Welcoming 50 clients, fostering rehabilitation, providing vocational training and skill development.
Special Initiatives
RFS Bangalore Branch initiatives

Our Initiatives

RFS (I) Bangalore Branch pioneers exclusive training in Psychosocial Rehabilitation for persons with severe mental illness, offering courses for institutions, hospitals, medical colleges, and NGOs. We host postgraduate students, providing hands-on training and collaborating with institutions like NIMHANS, Bangalore.

Join us at The Richmond Fellowship Society (India) - Bangalore Branch in making a positive impact on mental health. Together, let's create a society where mental health is a shared responsibility, and every individual, especially those with severe mental illness, thrives.

Registration

Registered under Societies Registration Act, XXI 1860

Reg No: S-16800, dated 19th June 1986

Registered u/s 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961

Reg No AAATT1454DE20214, dated 28th May 2021

Registered under FCRA

Registration Number: 094420477 dated 21.02.2023

Registered under GST

GSTIN: 29AAATT1454D1ZM

80G Registration

Donations made to the Society are exempted u/s 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Unique Registration No : AAATT1454DF20212, dated 28th October 2021

CSR Registration

Reg No CSR00010693 dated 06.07.2021

Parent Body Affiliation
Ms. Elly Jansen, the Founder of the Richmond Fellowship
Ms. Elly Jansen Founder of Richmond Fellowship
First halfway home 'ASHA' of RFS Bangalore
First Halfway Home Founded in 1986, Puttenahalli, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore

Our History

In 1985, Ms. Elly Jansen, the Founder of the Richmond Fellowship, a UK-based Mental Health Charity, embarked on a visit to India with the aim of exploring the feasibility of initiating rehabilitation programs in Bangalore for individuals coping with severe mental illness. During her visit, she engaged with Dr. G.N. Narayana Reddy, the then Director of NIMHANS, and (the late) Dr. S. M. Chanabasavanna, who served as the Medical Superintendent of NIMHANS, and Dr.Prakash Appaya, Psychiatrist at St. John's Medical college' at the time. at the time. With their invaluable assistance, along with the support of (late) Mr. M.M. Krishnamurthy, a philanthropist, The Richmond Fellowship Society (India) was formally registered in 1986 as a Charitable Society, with its Registered Office located in Delhi.Starting with 'Vikas' in Puttenahalli, Bangalore, the Fellowship has expanded to Delhi, Lucknow, and a rural branch in Sidlaghatta. Operating on Therapeutic Community principles, Fellowship facilities provide a wide range of services, encompassing short and long-term residential facilities as well as a Day Care

Centre offering vocational training. Committed to advancing mental health awareness, The Richmond Fellowship Society (India), Bangalore actively engages in training, research, workshops, and collaborative initiatives. Since its inception, the organization has been a driving force in empowering individuals on their path to mental health recovery, maintaining steadfast dedication to their support.

Dr. S. Kalyanasundaram, a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and presently the Honorary Advisor of the organization, began his journey with the Richmond Fellowship in 1988. Following the invitation by Dr G. N. Narayana Reddy, Founder of The Richmond Fellowship Society (India), he joined the Fellowship. Over the last three and a half decades, he has been an integral part of the organization, contributing immensely to its enduring growth and mission.

Ms. Elly Jansen, the Founder of the Richmond Fellowship
Ms. Elly Jansen Founder of Richmond Fellowship
First halfway home 'ASHA' of RFS Bangalore
First Halfway Home Founded in 1986, Puttenahalli, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore
Milestones

Our Journey

1985: Ms. Elly Jansen, Founder of the UK-based Mental Health Charity, the Richmond Fellowship, explores starting similar rehabilitation programs in India for persons with severe mental illness.

1986: The Richmond Fellowship Society (India) is registered as a Charitable Society in Delhi. Trial project 'Vikas' (Blossom), a Halfway home at Puttenahalli, Bangalore, was started for 10 men with severe mental illness.

1989: Model Halfway home 'ASHA' (Hope) is established in Jayanagar, South Bangalore, with funds from Richmond Fellowship International.

1993: Richmond Fellowship Asia Pacific Forum (RF AsPac) is created, including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and India.

1995: Long stay home 'Jyothi' (Light) begins caring for 12 residents with family support.

1995: RFS(I) organizes the RF AsPac International Symposium on “Innovations in Psychiatric Rehabilitation.”

1996: RFS(I) celebrates the 10th Anniversary of providing a Decade of Services for the mentally ill.

1997: Day Care Centre with Vocational training 'Chetana' (Awakening) is established.

1999: Richmond Fellowship Post Graduate College starts offering a two-year full-time course leading to M.Sc. in Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Counselling.

2001: National Board of the Richmond Fellowship is formed as an overarching body for all branches.

2003: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NIMHANS was established, marking a pivotal collaboration and is presently effective until the year 2025.

2006: RFS(I) celebrates the 20th Anniversary of providing a Decade of Services for the mentally ill.

2008: RF AsPac Conference on “Psychosocial Rehabilitation across Cultures” is organised.

2011: RFS(I) celebrates its Silver Jubilee.

2015: 2015: Formation of New ‘Jyothi’ long stay home.  The relocation of ‘Jyothi’ house to the Chetana premises occurred, enhancing care provision for 17 residents.

2015: Closure of Richmond Fellowship Post Graduate College (RFPG College)

2016: ASHA House underwent significant upgrades, furthering its capacity to provide essential services.

2016 - 2020: A landmark contract valued at US $20,000 was inked with the Columbus Foundation: Limited Brand Cares / Mast Cares Fund. This substantial investment was allocated to a project focused on "Caring for Women with Mental Illness."

2021: A jubilant Silver Jubilee celebration marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Jyothi Long Stay Home.

2023: ASHA House witnessed another round of enhancements, reflecting an ongoing commitment to improving quality.

2023: The inauguration of the Manasadhara Day Care project at the Chetana Day Care Centre marked a significant milestone. Supported by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, this initiative extends free vocational training to 40 patients grappling with severe mental illness.