Recently, I visited the Stepping Stone Clubhouse in Stones Corner. The Clubhouse is an organisation linked with around 300 similar Clubhouses around the world.
This is a group that brings together people with mental illnesses to support them back to work or into temporary and permanent accommodation. But what makes the Stepping Stone Clubhouse unique is that they have done away with the staff/client model of support. Instead, everyone is enrolled as a member of the Clubhouse and jointly responsible for its administration. With support from a small handful of permanent staff, the Clubhouse members operate these centres themselves, restoring their skills and self esteem in a supported environment.
The Clubhouse provides three essential services to the Southside community.
First, a daily gathering place for people.
Secondly, they provide pre-training for people that want to get back into the workforce.
Thirdly, they go out and help people get jobs.
They’re extraordinary. This Clubhouse services some 400 people across Brisbane and when I visited, there were about 70 or 80 in attendance.
They have their own coffee shop where they train people how to make coffees and bake cakes. Everyday they cook lunch for themselves, often catering for up to 80 people.
This centre is quite a remarkable place. I spoke to each and every person there to find that the Clubhouse has literally transformed lives. One lady told me that before she had walked in the door ten years ago; she had not spoken with another person for five years. Now, talking to her, you struggle to believe that it was ever the case.
This is a group that brings together people with mental illnesses to support them back to work or into temporary and permanent accommodation. But what makes the Stepping Stone Clubhouse unique is that they have done away with the staff/client model of support. Instead, everyone is enrolled as a member of the Clubhouse and jointly responsible for its administration. With support from a small handful of permanent staff, the Clubhouse members operate these centres themselves, restoring their skills and self esteem in a supported environment.
The Clubhouse provides three essential services to the Southside community.
First, a daily gathering place for people.
Secondly, they provide pre-training for people that want to get back into the workforce.
Thirdly, they go out and help people get jobs.
They’re extraordinary. This Clubhouse services some 400 people across Brisbane and when I visited, there were about 70 or 80 in attendance.
They have their own coffee shop where they train people how to make coffees and bake cakes. Everyday they cook lunch for themselves, often catering for up to 80 people.
This centre is quite a remarkable place. I spoke to each and every person there to find that the Clubhouse has literally transformed lives. One lady told me that before she had walked in the door ten years ago; she had not spoken with another person for five years. Now, talking to her, you struggle to believe that it was ever the case.
For more information on Stepping Stone Clubhouse -
For more photos of my visit to Stepping Stone Clubhouse -
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