Cambridge Clubhouse - What happens next

With the support of, and experience gained from, the Clubhouse, many members decide to engage in more activities outside the Clubhouse. These are varied and can include work, education and social activities.

Transitional Employment Programme (T.E.P.)

This has been developed to establish a valuable link to independent employment, within a supportive environment. All posts are at "entry-level" which means that members do not need specific qualifications or experience. All posts are temporary, from 6 to 12 months, and paid at the going rate.

These jobs are held by the Clubhouse, which provide 100% cover should a member be unable to work. Initially staff are trained within the post before transferring these skills to interested members. At present we run six T.E.'s placements at Camrider, APU, Parkside leisure centre and the Inland Revenue.

Supported Work
We have responded to the needs of the membership to create more wide ranging work opportunities to reflect the skills of people seeking work.
These posts are held by the member and are person-specific, permanent positions. The Clubhouse provides support in finding a position and on-going support from the Clubhouse community and a specific worker as needed. Current examples are teaching posts and film editing work. The Clubhouse also provides informal support for people who have work placements with other agencies such as QEST.
Back to Work - A member's experience
"It's got me clean and tidy, out of bed in the morning - out and about.
It's got me a lot of self-esteem, which comes from people appreciating a job well done.
I was nothing but an autumn leaf drifting in the wind, I now have a true sense of direction.
In 1998 a government psychiatrist told me that I was 80% unfit for work. At 64 I came off benefits and I'm now earning more than twice as much as I got on benefits."

Independent Employment
The Clubhouse also offers practical support to members wising to find independent employment, including permitted work forms and application forms.
Voluntary Work
Many Clubhouse members do voluntary work in the community.
Education
We have developed strong links with APU and CRC with members engaging in both academic and leisure courses.

Art and Creativity

This is a powerful medium that is used in the process of recovery. Some artists in the Clubhouse express their views... "The process of being here makes me feel better. The protection I'm offered in the Clubhouse helps me to be well."

"The Clubhouse has helped me to realise a dream and that is to access facilities, exhibit work and be part of an artistic community. It has been some years since I have been to art college, and I had lost the sense of community which I have since found vital to the creative process."

The Art Shop: What is Made

Cambridge Clubhouse Art

The painter Miro said: "Everyday I risk my neck"

Art is always about risk, challenging views of the world, communicating secret parts of your self, changing and being changed merely by being involved. It can be a process of growth. This cannot happen without a supportive community. You show me your dreams and I'll show you mine. When you are dealing with people's hearts and souls you must treat them with kindness, dignity and respect. They must have fully informed knowledge over the issues of ownership. Sensitivity around disclosure. If people are receiving care, these issues need to be handled with even greater clarity and awareness.

The excellence of the art produced by the Cambridge Clubhouse and shared in public arenas is the visible fruit of the community's excellence in all of these areas.

Lisa Chalkley - Member of the Cambridge Clubhouse

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