Testimonials
Kevin has had several transitional employment jobs. One was organising a magazine library in a PR and marketing company. Another was as a catering assistant in a college. He says of Hillside:
“It has given me belief in myself”
Helen's activities have included being a Hillside Board member and undertaking clubhouse colleague training in New York. She says:
“Hillside has given me voluntary work experience plus two transitional employment placements. This is invaluable in helping me to obtain work outside the mental health system.”
Geri has had a job as a catering assistant. For her Hillside means
“Getting up, getting involved, meeting people, a job”
Shelley has gained:
“Confidence, computer training and friendship”
Jose has a job through clubhouse and says:
“I feel that I belong... It takes my mind out of itself”
Marie-Ange got a job through Hillside as a catering supervisor for a service for adults with special needs and says Hillside has:
“Given me a focus to go back to work, bringing my confidence back.”
What people say about us:
Here are some of the things our stakeholders say about us!
“I had the very great privilege of visiting the Hillside Clubhouse in Holloway. The Clubhouse network was something I had not heard of before. I was struck from the moment I walked in the door that the people who used the clubhouse - and who had mental health problems - looked on the Clubhouse as somewhere they could go to feel safe. It offered them companionship, constructive activity and the chance to go and get a paid job in the community. It supported them without compelling them. Everyone found their own level, and progressed at their own pace.
“It was not somewhere they were forced to go, but equally it was somewhere that would keep in touch if they stopped coming along. In short, it offered genuine care in a real community. It was a sanctuary in an ever more complex and difficult society.”
Dr Liam Fox MP
“On a recent visit, I was so impressed by the atmosphere at Hillside Clubhouse. Everyone was so positive about their work there and how much they valued the opportunity to contribute to the organisation. It had clearly been a transforming experience for some people and everyone had benefited in confidence and purpose.”
Paula Kahn
Chair of Islington Primary Care Trust
“The members at Hillside have taken part and remain involved in employment and other social inclusion initiatives. There is a strong feeling of commitment from both the staff and members regarding the service that hillside clubhouse provides and it continues to increase employment opportunities it is able to offer to Islington residents and has active representation on the Housing and Adult Social Services Employment Strategy Group.”
Laval Lebon
Strategy and Commissioning Manager Mental Health Islington/Islington Council
“... we were bowled over by Hillside’s tremendous atmosphere, openness and inclusivity. … A trip to Hillside is always uplifting.”
Christopher Graves
Director - The Tudor Trust
“At last I have found caterers who really do deliver!
“Hillside Clubhouse provided the catering at our recent Healthy Living event and I would really recommend them to everyone – whether you need refreshments for a small meeting or a large event.
“The catering was absolutely fantastic. Everyone was professional and the food was wonderful - everyone commented on it, including the Mayor and Jeremy Corbyn MP!”
Jessica Rimmington
Senior Manager, Age Concern
“Hillside Clubhouse have worked closely with Islington Council helping in the planning of services to support local people with mental health needs. We feel this has been excellent partnership working and we have found their staff knowledgeable, experienced and creative. They have consistently performed well on contracts meeting their targets for and assisting vulnerable people into work and offering excellent post employment support. Hillside have been a pleasure to work with.”
Janet Drysdale
Head of Regeneration and Community Partnerships, Islington Council
“When I attend board meetings as a member representative, I'm often asking myself: 'How will this decision affect members?' or 'What do members care about?
They’re always difficult questions, but I find that as a clubhouse member, I'm in a good position to try to answer them.”
Ireo Ostacchini
Board member representative
“We love working with Hillside Clubhouse! Over the last few years we have worked with Hillside to get the active involvement of people with mental health issues in a range of user involvement projects in Islington. Hillside Clubhouse is a real resource not just for local people with mental health issues but the wider community and voluntary sector. Hillside are actively involved in a range of consultation and partnership working and have proved invaluable in helping to raise the profile of mental health and increase local understanding of the needs and issues affecting people with mental health issues.”
Tracey Lazard
Director, Disability Action in Islington
“We at Islington Mind are especially keen to use local community enterprises and have used Hillside Clubhouse’s catering service for the last few years. We have booked ahead this year - lunch catering for 26 of our training courses in 2009 and I can honestly say that the food gets better every time! Their menus are exciting, there is a fantastic choice- healthy, hearty and wholesome! Prompt delivery, great friendly service, fantastic value for money- they ask us for feedback and always pay attention to what we have to say. We’re very happy indeed ”
Anne Thomas
Assistant Director, Mind in Islington
“DSC first learned about Hillside Clubhouse a year ago and we knew immediately that we wanted to be involved in the [transitional employment] scheme.
That was last August and our relationship with Hillside, …has blossomed. We have watched [our worker – a Hillside member] turn from a shy, retiring person, full of trepidation, into a smiling, confident, capable woman who now works two shifts a week for us (at her request!!).
Of course, it’s not [her] who has gained – we all have. We have a deeper understanding of mental health issues and how each one of us can make a difference, as well as making some lovely new friends amongst the staff at Hillside. This wonderful scheme deserves to go from strength to strength. ”
Debra Allcock Tyler
Chief Executive, Directory of Social Change
“I was impressed by Hillside Clubhouse’s commitment to quality, demonstrated by their hard work and time devoted to the PQASSO project.”
Colette Stevenson
Development Officer, Islington Voluntary Action Council
“When we first met with Hillside, I immediately saw that this could be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship, and in my opinion, the time and effort put in on both sides was far outweighed by the benefits reaped.
Our first [transitional employment] placement [member] did such a remarkable job with our files and library and fitted in so well that we didn’t want her to leave - she is still missed.
We hope that by being with us, [members] will have learned something that they can put to good use in their next placement.”
Jennifer Roofe
Cravath Swaine and Moore LLP
“The Recovery Approach underpins a range of current government initiatives and policies in mental health. These include The National Service Framework for mental Health (2004) and ‘Action on Mental Health: A guide to promoting social inclusion. (2004)’. The concept of ‘recovery’ is not about freedom from symptoms but about self determination and regaining one’s place in the community. Hillside Clubhouse is, for many people, the ideal ‘stepping stone’ to do just that. This is achieved by providing the opportunity and support for individuals to become socially included in terms of employment, social opportunities and engagement with mainstream community activity. In the process members begin to exercise choice and control in their lives and in the services they use. That is ‘recovery’ and Hillside Clubhouse is, in my opinion, a ‘recovery’ focused service that does all this very well indeed.”
Druid Flemming
Head Occupational Therapist
Residential and Rehabilitation Services
Camden and Islington Mental health and Social Care Trust