Annual Report 2006-07

Introduction

Enfield Clubhouse aims to support people with mental health problems recover meaningful lives through work, learning and friendships. These objectives are achieved by providing structured daytime work and learning activities and regular social events within the Clubhouse and on organised outings as well as support to access employment, education and leisure opportunities in the community.

This year marks the first fully operational year in Enfield Clubhouse's history. It's been a long time coming! The first seeds were sown way back in 1999. It was another three years before the Clubhouse registered as a company limited by guarantee and two more to register as a charity. During this time many people – mental health service users, families carers, friends, supporters, professionals and commissioners – were involved in extensive consultation and planning.

A Project Development Manager was appointed with grants from the the Bridge House Trust (now known as the City Bridge Trust) and the Tudor Trust to pay for the salary. Lottery funding provided money to get the project started, but finding suitable premises took longer than anticipated. Staff were recruited, but even when the current site was leased and the Clubhouse could put down its first roots, there were unforeseen (and unforeseeable) problems getting the building ready to receive it's first members.

Nearly two years later than expected in March 2006, four members and two staff became the first to begin to shape Enfield Clubhouse into a functioning day and vocational rehabilitation service based on and aspiring to the international Clubhouse model successfully operated elsewhere in the UK and worldwide.

Many people would have given up trying to overcome all the problems faced during the six years from original idea to operational start, so credit is due to all those who contributed and not least to our Acting Chair Vicki Stewart who survived it all. Vicki's perseverance, tenacity and resourcefulness has gone a long way to ensuring that Enfield Clubhouse survived difficult beginnings. One of the Clubhouse's aims for this coming year will be to find and recruit suitably skilled and experienced trustees so that Vicki can take a step back and enjoy a well-deserved break from Clubhouse responsibilities and focus more on her new role as a grandmother!

While this report officially covers the period from April 2006 to March 2007 in line with the financial accounts, it additionally offers some information regarding the first six months of the 2007-08 year as a useful barometer of the changes and progress being made.

Key achievements during this start-up period are:

- marketing service to Community Mental Health Teams
- recruiting and retaining members
- developing financial procedures and systems to ensure the Clubhouse operates within budget
- recovery from funding setbacks
- short-term financial stability on which to build for the future
- a clearer idea of possible future strategic developments

David Marsden Director

Introduction
View from the Chair
Members
Staff
Finance
Funding
Facilities
Marketing & Development
Risks
Thanks
Board of Trustees
Bank & Auditors