opening the door to better mental health
Open Door is reimagining what mental health support looks, sounds and feels like.
Using lived experience to create evidence-based programmes in non-clinical settings, we create spaces people want to be in, with people they want to spend time with. Our home is in Birkenhead, Wirral, but our support knows no bounds.
Open Door Charity began in a small shop in Liscard on the Wirral in 2011, founded by Lee Pennington.
The earliest phase of the charity was shaped by lived experience, grassroots determination and a desire to offer immediate, creative, non-clinical mental health support to young people.
The charity was born from Lee's own experience with anxiety, the loss of a close friend to suicide, and a passion for creating a place where people could find understanding instead of judgement.
Lee intentionally chose a small shop so that if only a few people came through the door, it would still feel warm and welcoming rather than empty or clinical.
bloom-ing in Birkenhead
From that tiny shop, Open Door Charity expanded significantly and migrated to Bloom Building in Birkenhead.
Open Door Charity has grown into a nationally recognised mental health organisation, being awarded the 2024 GSK IMPACT Award, delivered in partnership with the Kings’ Fund, one of the UK’s most prestigious health sector honours.
Joy is coming
From that tiny shop, Open Door Charity expanded significantly and migrated to Bloom Building in Birkenhead.
Open Door Charity has grown into a nationally recognised mental health organisation, being awarded the 2024 GSK IMPACT Award, delivered in partnership with the Kings’ Fund, one of the UK’s most prestigious health sector honours.
Together our members, mentors and staff transform cultures around mental health. The times when we need support become moments of meaningful change. We all have opportunities to connect with brilliant people, transformative tools, and inspirational places
Human
We put people first, creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and supported.
Human
We put people first, creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and supported.
Human
We put people first, creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and supported.
Human
We put people first, creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and supported.
meet the people bringing lived experience, professional expertise and genuine care to everything we do.
Lee Pennington
Creative Director
Lee Pennington
Creative Director
Lee Pennington
Creative Director
Lee Pennington
Creative Director
Lee Pennington
Creative Director