This report explores the experience of eight innovative, community-based crisis projects in England which were set up to provide support to people experiencing a mental health crisis as an alternative and complement to in-patient hospital care. The report traces these services from inception through to active experience, discussing difficulties and achievements as identified through project evaluation. The report will be of interest to government policy makers and planners across the UK, commissioners and service providers at local level, people working in community-based crisis projects and people using mental health services.