Rehabilitation Services

What is a Clubhouse?

Clubhouse is a program that is run by a partnership of members and staff. It is a place where is shared by everyone but members' contributions are voluntary and they are not bound by formal contracts. It is totally up to each individual as to the level of involvement they would like to have. All work done at the Clubhouse is valued and appreciated by everybody but if people do not feel up to work, we still enjoy their company.

Clubhouses revolve around a work-ordered day and help give meaning and structure to the lives of members. The work-ordered day, together with our employment program, provides an invaluable stepping-stone into employment and the community. A variety of social activities in the late afternoon and evenings are also an integral part of our program, where relationships are strengthened in a more relaxed context.

The first clubhouse began over 45 years ago. It was started by a group of ex-patients in New York who were dissatisfied with the community options available. They expected to be treated as people who have skills and abilities and to be valued and needed. They started a project called WANA (We are not alone) which eventually developed into the first Clubhouse (called "Fountain House").

There are now some 400 clubhouse programs operating in 24 countries around the world. The first in NSW was established at Quirk Road, Balgowlah under the auspices of the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc. Strong efforts are being made to establish more clubhouses in both rural and metropolitan areas.

The Pioneer Clubhouse at Balgowlah is organised into several work units: the Food Services Unit (menu planning, budgeting, shopping, food preparation, serving meals, cleaning), the Communications Unit (computer operation, reception, photocopying, newsletters, statistics), and the Employment Unit (help with applications, interview skills and resumes). Additionally, advocacy and support for housing and referral to other appropriate services is offered.

Pioneer Clubhouse is a provider of Job Network Service's Peer Support Program. We also offer training opportunities for a number of accredited business certificates, operating in partnership with the YWCA. Pioneer has strong links to a wide variety of medical and community services that assist our members to achieve better health, wellbeing and integration into the community.