The concept of Thrive in the City originated in the Borough of Southwark, just south of the Square Mile and close to many of the big firms that have established offices on the south side of the Thames. It is here that registered charity Mental Fight Club was founded by Sarah Wheeler in 2003. Sarah envisioned a space where people could relax and simply be, regardless of their mental health status, and Mental Fight Club exists to improve people’s mental health by providing this unique support; safe, creative spaces where people can connect with others. The manifestation of this vision is The Dragon Café

The Dragon Café is Mental Fight Club’s ethos in practice – a safe, welcoming space, open to all, no questions asked about mental health status, where people can connect and be creative. Opened in October 2012, The Dragon Café runs as a weekly pop-up that takes place in the Crypt of St. George the Martyr Church in Borough every Monday from noon – 8:30pm.

Mental Fight Club are unlike any other organisation currently working in the mental health field. They provide unique projects to improve people’s mental health in central London, Greater London and the wider world, via physical spaces as well as digital platforms.

Mental Fight Club have a wealth of experience and embedded knowledge of the provision of spaces for mental wellbeing, and have long recognised the need for a safe, creative and welcoming space for those working in the highly pressurised City of London. Thrive in the City is the development of that vision, at this stage seeking to explore how we might best provide this much needed support to the people living and working in the City.