May 11 - Clubhouse Gibraltar CEO Announces Charity's New Premises At Annual Report Meeting
There were cheers of delight when it was revealed Clubhouse Gibraltar will be moving to their new premises in the Gladys Perez Centre.
The announcement was made by the charity’s CEO Emily Adamberry-Olivero after delivering the annual report for 2016-2017 this afternoon.
Mrs Adamberry-Olivero said this is a “gigantic milestone” for the charity which will help them to expand its services for the 128 members in a tailor-made premises for them.
Some of the new services that will be offered by Clubhouse Gibraltar are a depression and anxiety support group, a families and carers support group, and a mental health first aid group which will train individuals and organisations to recognise the symptoms of mental health illness early on.
Trustee Peter Montegriffo called for more private sector businesses to help give Clubhouse Gibraltar users a first step into the mainstream workforce by offering jobs under the banner of the Transitional Employment Placement Programme.
Mr Montegriffo said this has so far not been very successful in Gibraltar, and they are not finding it easy to find private sector employers to take this up, and wanted to use today to find out how to get employers to take up this scheme.
At the delivery of the annual report, Kristian Menez, the treasurer and trustee of the charity, said income for the charity has increased 20% from last year, increasing to over £100,000.
Mr Menez said there have been many memorable events which will once again be held this year, including the Wear Yellow day tomorrow, and the charity walk on Saturday morning, as well as the annual flag day.
Although expenses have gone up by 11%, they remain at £350 a day, and in particular this sum is being used to pay salaries for the three and a half members of staff employed by the charity.
Mrs Adamberry-Olivero said that while fundraising continues to be an important factor for the charity, they are searching for volunteers who can take on fundraising responsibilities so that the staff can continue with the work they do.
Dr Rene Beguelin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: “The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week this year is ‘not just surviving, but thriving’ which is very much what Clubhouse Gibraltar is about.
“We have to make sure we thrive, and not just stop dead when we have a break down, that we get up, dust ourselves off and progress and flower and blossom again.
“This is something that we all have to do, it is important that we look after our mental health as much as we look after our physical health.”
During the presentation a service user read out a statement about her time in Clubhouse Gibraltar and how it has helped her.
She said: "I came to Clubhouse Gibraltar and it brings meaning to my life. It makes me feel wanted, and accepted for me. No pretences and no gimmicks, just support and advice when I need it. I feel useful and wanted once more, and no matter what problems some may have, they are all welcomed into this family.
"It's giving me a meaning, concentrating on my needs for once, enrolling in college, listening to my ideas, helping other members with the skills I already possess and giving me belief in myself which I had lost for so long. There will always be bad times in my life, but no matter what I always know Clubhouse has my back, and with the TP programme I have my job and it's given me back.
"I am not a wife, a mother, I am me again and it gives me a chance to move on with my life and hopefully find a job in Gibraltar and getting back to being me totally again instead of just a part."
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