How it all started

Our principles

What we offer now

What our members say about us

A Guide for New Members

 

How it all started

 

The Mary Frances Trust is named after the two women who set it up.

One, Frances, a Senior Social Worker, the other, Mary, a journalist and carer. The two met whilst serving together on the Board of a Housing Association, became friends and decided to set up a new resource in the Leatherhead area to support local people who used mental health services and enable them to achieve their own particular aspirations and goals.

 

They began to look around at International Models for inspiration, visited the Clubhouse in Malmo Sweden and decided to set up a Clubhouse locally which was officially opened in 1994.

 

The Clubhouse Movement started in New York in the 1950’s and was founded by a group of parents and carers of people who, for the first time, were living in the community rather than in long-term psychiatric hospital care. They had no precedents to draw on and so they made up their own based on two ideas- belonging to a “club” and aiming to return to employment. Hence the service operated during the working day with all the tasks generated in any independent organisation shared by members and staff working side-by-side. 

 

Our principles

 

Since it opened, our services have evolved in response to the developing needs and aspirations of members (as we call the people who use our services) and changing ideas about what services should be made available to people with mental health problems.

 

However, we remain committed to our founding principles- Members are guaranteed a place where they are welcome and feel that they belong. Their relationships with staff are characterised by equality and mutual respect.  Membership, attendance and participation in all activities are voluntary.

 

Over the past three years we have begun to offer activities, groups and individual support to promote our members’ recovery and well-being and to enable them to access mainstream opportunities in the community such as education, voluntary work, employment and leisure. These arise from our commitment to ensure that our members can participate fully in their communities and achieve their own personal goals and aspirations.

 

What we offer now

 

Our base is the Leatherhead Clubhouse, a comfortable and homely house in the town centre where we provide our services. 

 

Three days a week we operate a day programme open to all members and attended by approximately 30 people daily. Working together, members and staff undertake all the tasks and responsibilities of a small business including finance, administration, shopping, food preparation and working in the house and garden. Members tell us that working in this structured and supportive environment has helped them rebuild their confidence, their self-esteem and their social networks. 

 

Building on this foundation, we have developed a large range of groups and activities to promote recovery and social inclusion and to improve health and well-being. These include healthy living, physical activity, arts and leisure groups, a women’s group and men’s activities, computer tuition leading to an eDCC qualification and talks and visits from experts in areas of concern and interest to members. 

 

We also offer advice and support to members on an individual basis.  Areas covered include healthy living, management of mental health problems, advice regarding benefits, housing and debt and access to employment, education, volunteering, arts, leisure and faith activities.

 

We are very pleased that our members have reported a high level of satisfaction with the balance of services we are now able to offer.

 

We also run a very popular Social Programme which includes monthly trips to places such as Hampton Court Palace, the cinema and theatre, boat trips etc and a monthly café trip. These activities are arranged for evenings, weekends and bank holidays to enable members in employment or full-time education to still keep in touch.

 

In order to keep in touch with members and supporters, we produce a weekly newsletter called “Communique” which is sent to over 200 people.  A copy of the latest edition can be found on this website.

 

What our members say about us

 

“I have been a member for some time and have been shown a purpose in my life by building my confidence and getting involved in the varied aspects of day to day life of Clubhouse.”

 

“Invaluable, Clubhouse is an inspirational place where I can meet people and be part of a community which supports one another.”

 

“I have been coming to Clubhouse for ten years, and I think things would have got a lot worse for me had I not joined. Clubhouse is the best organisation for people with mental illness.”

 

“The Mary Frances Trust, through the Leatherhead Clubhouse, gave me the training and with the support of the Clubhouse staff, the confidence and guidance to successfully achieve employment, taking into account my mental health condition”.

 

A guide for new members

 

You may be interested in this information about day-to-day arrangements at Clubhouse.

 

We have a Social Trip which takes place once a month on a Saturday.  The destination is decided in a group in advance and sign-up sheets with prices given are pinned up in the Clubhouse. These trips are subsidised to give all our members the opportunity to take part.

 

We have a café trip held first Friday in the month from 2.30 pm and we decide which local café to go to on the day. Members will need to pay for their own refreshments.

 

When entering or leaving the Clubhouse building, you will need to remember to sign in/out on the sheets situated on the reception shelf as you come in. 

This will enable us to ensure people’s safety in the event of a fire or drill.

 

There are 3 exits (front door, dining room and back door adjacent to the men’s toilet).  If the fire alarm is continuous it is imperative that you leave the building and assemble outside the Leatherhead Institute.

 

Lunch needs to be booked (by phone or in person) by 11am.  This will ensure that the kitchen knows how many to cater for.

 

Teas, coffee and soft drinks can be obtained all day. Tea & coffee are 25p per cup or £1 for the day.  Filter coffee is 35p per cup. Can drinks are normally 55p and soft drinks are 10p per glass, but this may vary according to the cost in shops.

 

Snacks are available to buy from the snack-bar and prices are written on the product.  Sandwiches can be purchased on request if you have missed the lunchtime sign-up time, or if you require a lighter option.

 

Please note that we do not tolerate the use of drugs or alcohol anywhere on these premises.  This is to maintain respect and safety to all.

 

There are various groups of activities you can sign up for on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Clubhouse, and individual leaflets explaining this, or speak to a member of staff for the details.