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Chariman’s Report:
Our annual report is the last full year report for the decade. Over the past decade we have seen many changes at Toowoomba Clubhouse, however I would have to say this year has seen the most in number and significance.
This financial year has seen us transition into the new environment of the National Disability insurance Scheme (NDIS) and also begin the process of moving Toowoomba Clubhouse from an incorporated association to a company limited by guarantee. These changes are massive, require a substantial amount of work and change the culture of Toowoomba Clubhouse.
Read the full Chairman’s Report and annual report here.
23 September 2019
The Toowoomba Clubhouse has completely restructured its operation to survive the introduction of National Disability Insurance Scheme funding model.
To maintain free access to the mental health support service, the clubhouse is now only partly funded by the NDIS with the rest coming from private donations.
"Psychological social disability doesn't fit totally neatly in the NDIS so we have about 70 per cent of our members who will never be eligible for NDIS.
So that is where we need to work with them individually on federal and state funded projects to help them achieve improvements in their mental health,” Toowoomba Clubhouse CEO Debbie Bailey said.
Jason Hately has been a clubhouse member for not quite a year. He has bipolar one and anxiety disorder,
"A year ago I was a very introverted and shy person. I was extremely nervous and unsure of myself but now flip those things on their heads. I take morning meetings and I go out to the hospitals doing outreach work," Mr Hately said.
Kamie Barlett has been living with mental illness since she was four.
"I'm studying now. I'm not far from finishing. I want to help people who have been in my situation," she said.
📷 Belinda Sanders ABC Southern Qld
Link to original article https://www.facebook.com/ABCSouthernQueensland/photos/a.190242700993143/2959765854040800/?type=3
Audio Interviews:
Have a listen to Debbie Bailey explain how things have changed here.
Another feel good story from Kamie Bartlett who has struggled with mental illness since she was four.
This is Jason Hately's story
9 February 2018
New Acland miners are making new air conditioning a reality for mental health charity Toowoomba Clubhouse after delivering a cheque for almost $14,000 on Friday.
The miners smashed their original $10,000 target following a series of employee barbeques, a community raffle and the cashing-in of some unused copper from the mine site.
Toowoomba Clubhouse Chief Executive Officer Deborah Bailey said Clubhouse staff and members were looking forward to the much-anticipated air conditioning units.
"Our facility can get really warm during summer and while air conditioning has always been on our wish list, we rely solely on grants and donations and have never been able to afford it," Deborah said.
"We were absolutely over the moon when New Acland Mine chose to fundraise for us and knew exactly where to invest the money."
"Aside from donating the funds, the mine’s health and wellness committee has done a lot of work getting the word out about what the Clubhouse does and how we help local people recovering from mental illness."
New Acland’s Senior Health and Safety System Coordinator Stewart Sherrington said the fundraising effort was championed by the mine site’s Health and Safety Committee, made up mine employees and contractors.
"New Acland Mine takes mental health very seriously and our committee was really inspired after learning about what the Clubhouse does," Stewart said.
"We reached out to local business and had a tonne of support in providing prizes for the raffle and supplies for our barbeques."
"While our health and safety committee led the charge, the fundraising was a great team effort by community, our miners and New Acland’s contractors and suppliers."
Toowoomba Clubhouse is part of an international Clubhouse movement, which offers a safe place for people battling mental illness to help them recover and develop work and social skills.
The Clubhouse is open five days a weeks and currently has about 40 to 50 members visiting daily.
Toowoomba Clubhouse Chief Executive Officer Deborah Bailey said the Clubhouse is all about helping members recover from a mental health issue, no matter what the issue is or how long their recovery.
"Something that can make a huge difference during recovery is work experience so the Clubhouse offers valuable work opportunities to our members," Deborah said.
"Members can choose to work in one of three ‘units’, where they develop real-world skills in hospitality, gardening and administration."
"Socialising is another important part of recovery and the Clubhouse offers members the opportunity to share their experience with people going through a similar journey."
“Clubhouse gave me the want and the will to go out and to try new things and get on with my life. So when I was offered an opportunity to work at Vanguard Laundry I jumped at it – and here I am working seven hour shifts for five days a week. And not only that I will turn 60 next year and have just got engaged!" Kaylene W
Read More
[written by member Amie J for our January 2020 newsletter]
The first ever Clubhouse was opened in the year 1948. It started from a group of people with varying mental health issues wanting to support each other after being discharged from a mental health facility, Rockland Psychiatric Centre, New York. They met on the steps of the New York Public Library. It’s amazing to learn that a small group of people diagnosed with mental Illness could have established over the years a clubhouse that would one day become an international support network of community. A community that one day would work to help support thousands of its members in their everyday lives and to achieve their goals.
Read MoreExciting news for members, we have voted for our camp venue for 2020. The winning venue is Luther Heights Youth Camp at Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast. The building we are staying in is the newly built Ocean Outlook which is a terraced lodge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The official camp date will be the 25th to the 27th of May
Read MoreToowoomba Clubhouse is saddened by the passing of our former President, Emeritus Professor Peter Swannell, AM on 8 January 2020.
Peter came to be at Toowoomba Clubhouse because he wanted to make a difference. A chance meeting with a Clubhouse member stirred Peter’s interest in Toowoomba Clubhouse, what we do, how we do it and who are our members.
Read More
