Who we are
When Susie Willis and Kathy Prior struggled to find the perfect support for their adult daughters, they decided to create it themselves.
‘After Chrissie and Sarah left school, we tried a specialist college, but it was very classroom based and it wasn’t for them,’ explains Susie.
‘We felt our daughters needed to develop their everyday living skills to prepare them for adulthood’
When offered the chance to utilise the Old Georgian Clubhouse, based in the Grounds of St George’s College, they leapt at it. They put a small support team in place, word soon spread, and the service grew.
‘As parents, we always want the best for our families. Why shouldn’t they have the same quality of life as everyone else?’
‘I know other parents feel the same as we do – we want a safe, social and fun space where our loved ones can really thrive, grow and maximise their independence.’
Since 2011 when first founded, Clubhouse has gone from strength to strength, with more than twenty adults enjoying the opportunities on a daily basis, backed up by a highly experienced professional support team.
‘As parents, we always want the best for our families.’
Founded by parents, run by professionals
Kathy and Susie are the first to agree that parents need to know when to step back and let experienced professionals provide expert level support.
‘We want Clubhouse to be fun, but there’s a serious side, too,’ explains Kathy.
‘Parents can be overprotective, so we always felt that it was important for us to set the culture and values for Clubhouse but then empower people with real expertise to take the lead in creating the framework and ensuring the day to day support is run according to best sector practices.
Clubhouse has a brilliant support team, led by Operations Director Nick Weames, who has more than three decades’ experience within the social care sector, working for both local authorities and some of the country’s top social care providers.
Nick was delighted to join the team: ‘Clubhouse was a real opportunity to develop a service with fantastic values and a real commitment to quality, which can be in short supply these days,’ he explained. ‘I’m delighted to be leading Cluhouse during its next chapter, ensuring we provide exceptional support and learning opportunities’
‘Of course, we want Clubhouse to be fun – but there’s a serious side, too.
Our quality commitments
Professionalism
Operations Director Nick Weames ensures the team is led to the highest professional standards. All staff receive regular training and supervision and every person supported at Clubhouse has an up to date support plan which sets out their likes, dislikes, their strengths and abilities, and aspirations for personal growth and development.
Safety and wellbeing
Safety and wellbeing are paramount and all staff are committed to ensure effective safeguarding in a healthy environment. Clubhouse places a strong emphasis on positive social development as well as healthy diets and regular exercise to help improve the health and wellbeing of everyone using the service.
A quality team
Our support workers share our values, so only the best work at Clubhouse. Every person in the support team has an enahnced DBS check and receives regular training in professional skills and standards.