History

The National Schizophrenia Fellowship was set up in London in 1972 on the initiative of John Pringle who wrote to The Times about the dilemma of carers of people who had schizophrenia. Many people replied and the Fellowship was born, with the aim of providing mutual help and support for carers. Professional people then offered to help and users also joined. Local self-help groups were set up around the country including Scotland.

Scottish members separated from the main body in London in 1984 and became the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland). Although it works in collaboration with its sister organisation in England (Rethink), NSF (Scotland) is completely autonomous, being responsible for its own policy, projects and funding.