Cara House Members Club

Country

Ireland

Description

Cara House was established as a direct response to cater for the needs of people who had experienced mental health problems. Initially established as a drop-in centre, it has now expanded considerably to meet the social, recreational and educational needs of its members as well as offering opportunities to the wider community.

Cara House is a community based members club which promotes and supports health and well being through social, recreational and educational activities. Initially established as a direct response for people who had experienced mental health problems, the club is not confined and is integrated fully into the community.

The club has particularly targeted those who have experienced mental health problems; the elderly who live in isolated, rural areas as well as offering activities specifically for the Active Age Group; a Men's Social Group and a Women's Social Group.

Aims

Cara House Members Club aims to:

• Promote and support health and well being through social, recreational and education activities.
• Promote social inclusion through a range of integrated activities.
• Challenge the stigma of mental illness.
• Raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
• Develop life skills in a non-stigmatised environment.

Areas

Education, Health, Social services, Training

Effectiveness

Cara House provides access to a range of social, educational, health and training services in an informal community setting in a non stigmatised environment. Cara House addresses barriers which may contribute to social exclusion e.g. access to social activities on a financial basis. All activities offered in the Club are free of charge although a donation if offered is accepted.

The activities of Cara House support the needs of people with mental health problems by adopting a members-led approach to club activities thereby providing the members with the opportunity of self-determination and empowerment.

The activities of Cara House supports the needs of people who have availed of mental health services through a normalisation process of offering activities and new opportunities in a supportive environment. As the activities are not confined to people who have or are currently using the mental health services but are open to all members of the community, there is a normalised environment to support a recovery model as opposed to a medical model. Through the on-going opportunities and activities availed of members can improve skills, confidence and self-esteem.

The success of Cara House is based upon the involvement of members who meet regularly to determine the activities and social events. Members learn from and support each others needs and work together to reduce stigma and raise awareness of mental health issues by encouraging the general community to support and avail of activities within Cara House.

Cara House is based in the centre of Letterkenny town and is easily accessible to members as:

• activities are widely advertised locally,
• referral is not necessary and attendance is on a personal member basis,
• the members establish their own club rules which is self regulating,
• Cara House has a no alcohol policy,
• all members receive regular updates of activities through a monthly newsletter,
• members are encouraged to share their own skills in the club,
• all courses offered are free of charge thereby ensuring that members are not excluded on the basis of financial need,
• transport is provided to attend social activities.

As this is a member's club all financial costs are in relation to supporting the activities provided. Income generated either through donation, fund raising or grants is solely for the funding of the events offered to the members. The range of activities varies from month to month and will be determined by the interest and need of the members. For example one month's activities included the following:

• creative writing group,
•  computer classes,
• keyboard skills,
• internet and email introduction,
• mobile phone use,
• arts and crafts,
• painting on canvas,
• drawing,
• needlecrafts,
• patchwork,
• indoor and outdoor activities for young men,
• walking group,
• indoor bowling,
• circle dancing,
• active age group,
• men's social group,
• women's social group.

As well as offering a wide range of interests and activities which are stimulating, energising and creative, members can avail of Cara House purely as a social venue.

Opening on Christmas Day in 2005 proved a huge success to those who did not have a family or community network.

Sustainability

The activities, methodologies and impacts of Cara House Members Club have made a significant contribution to the members. As this is a member led club, Cara House is strongly meeting the members' expressed needs. Members determine their own areas of interest and activities and are also members of the management committee which encourages total responsibility for the activities, venue, current policy and future direction of Cara House.
Ongoing consultation and feedback from the members is obtained through the regular members meetings, feedback from events and activities is significant in meeting the needs as outlined by the members.

Innovation

The innovated aspects of Cara House include:

• member led approach,
• informal community setting,
• non stigmatised environment,
• inclusive of all members of the community,
• wide variety of activities,
• on site catering facilities,
• on going development of innovative activities to encourage participation,
• members are encouraged to share their own skills by having a training input into activities.

The evaluative approach has confirmed that an informal, supportive social environment such as Cara House can cater effectively for people who have experienced social exclusion by increasing self esteem and confidence; increasing social interaction which in turn can contribute to overall health and well-being.

Added Value

Cara House has contributed significantly to the community activities in the town and environs of Letterkenny. In addition to the activities already outlined there is an encouragement to the community to support the activities and to volunteer skills where possible. This ensures a continuous range of innovative events and personnel to ensure that interests are being met

Transferability

The activities at Cara House are transferable to other communities with modification to take into account the expressed needs of its members.
The model is based on local resources and does not demand a high degree of human or financial support.

Mainstreaming Potential

The activities at Cara House respond to the policy to address social exclusion which is identified in the NAPs. The activities meet the social, educational and training needs of the members which in turn has a positive impact on health needs by providing an optional support structure in the community.

Costs of the Project

This year Cara House received funding from the following sources:

• 27,000 from the Health Services Executive
• 5,000 for a men's course
• 3,000 from the local partnership
• 2,000 from the local MHA
• 8,000 in fundraising and donations

People involved in the Project (number of people and profession)

All the people involved in the project are voluntary members. Course tutors are paid the official department rates. 100 people avail of activities of which 50 have mental health problems. 15 older people have completed Level 3 computer courses - the oldest to date is 75!

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Project

Strengths of the project include:

• diverse range of activities,
• normalisation process as part of the wider community,
• centrally based in an urban centre and therefore very visible,
• member led at all operational levels

Weakness of the project include:
Funding to support activities is an on-going concern

Contact Person for the Project

Susan McCauley

Cara House

Market Square

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Ireland
+353 86 1223029