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Our story

Stride’s story began with one person who cared enough to act. See how Emily Paterson changed the face of mental health in Australia with Aftercare back in 1907, and what’s happened since.

Australia’s longest serving mental health provider

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1907 wasn’t the best time for mental health services in Australia. A time of government underfunding and misunderstanding, it led to a situation where many people released from mental health hospitals had to restart their life alone.

Emily Paterson – blind from birth, yet a talented pianist and composer – lived near Gladesville Mental Hospital. She visited patients and often invited them to her home for concerts and afternoon tea, hearing firsthand how hard it was for them to find a job and accommodation after being discharged. Women especially struggled to find support, and Emily became friends with many of them.

From their stories, she decided to create her own solution to the question: What happens when hospital care ends? In this way, Aftercare was born – an association helping people find ‘a safe place to live, a place to work, and friendship’.

Over a century later and Aftercare has changed. Now known as Stride, we provide 80 services across 5 states, employ over 800 staff, and partner with a number of health networks, government and social services.

Despite this transformation, those first principles set down by Emily remain with us as we work to make today a little easier, and tomorrow a little brighter.

Step back through history to when it began

Discover the most significant moments in our history and how we’ve grown over the century.

1900s

1905

Stride’s story begins with Emily Paterson, who begun visiting patients at Gladesville Mental Hospital. She invites them to her place in Rockend for concerts and afternoon tea.

1907

Emily Paterson calls a meeting to found the Aftercare Association of NSW – now Stride. Later that year, it formed its first constitution, with the primary aim of helping former hospital patients find somewhere to live and work.

1920s

1928

Aftercare incorporated as a ‘not for gain’ company. Buys house on Queens Road, Five Dock to move its women’s hostel.

1930s

1931

One of our founders’ largest goals was achieved in 1931, with the opening of a hostel for newly discharged psychiatric patients. The Aftercare Association wanted to provide holistic care to female patients after discharge, and taking control of their very first women’s hostel was a big step forward.

1950s

1956

Aftercare becomes member of the new Metal Health Association.

1980s

1980

Aftercare takes over the Exodus program and opens a canteen at Lidcombe Hospital. Newcastle services move from Fletcher house to Bell Cottage, housing people with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities.

1984

Aftercare starts training canteen managers. NSW decriminalises homosexual acts. Image Right: Stride group at the 2017 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. ‘Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. Neither do we.’

1986

The Disability Services Act recognises people living with both physical and mental disabilities. Supports trend towards more independent living and employment. Department of Health gives Aftercare a grant to employ a media consultant who later writes ‘A Place to go. The Story of the Aftercare Association of N.S.W.’

1990s

1990

Teen accommodation service, Kurinda opens in Paterson House. Ashfield unit block bought to provide stable housing for people with high support needs. Aftercare undergoes major restructure. Holds consumer forum – giving voice to people living with mental health conditions.

1999

Changes name from Aftercare Association of NSW to Aftercare, and updates constitution.

2000s

2009

Services expand outside NSW for the first time. Sydney office moved to current location at former Rozelle Hospital.

2010s

2010

Aftercare opens first office in Brisbane. Starts running short-term ‘Time Out’ House in Cairns, supporting adolescents at risk of mental health conditions. Prime Minister Julia Gillard appoints a Minister for Mental Health for the first time in Australian history.

2012

Aftercare heads up research team building online program helping people with mental disabilities learn everyday skills. Establishes headspace centre in Queensland.

2013

The Federal Government rolls out the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

2014

Aftercare becomes an NDIS provider and opens new services in Victoria and Torres Strait.

2015

Aftercare delivers PIR and PHaMs services in the NDIS pilot site in the Hunter Region. Opens first mental health hub in Queensland. Long-neglected Bell St site in Newcastle is refurbished to create more residential accommodation.

2020s

2025

Now known as Stride, we provide support services across 5 states and territories, employ over 800 staff, and partner with various government, social services and community organisations.
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