Melbourne Citymission Compass Club

An ABI Clubhouse is a community centre for people living with the effects of an acquired brain injury (ABI). The Clubhouse is based on a model that has been recognised for over 70 years. It offers a safe environment where people are treated with dignity and respect. A Clubhouse focuses on abilities rather than disabilities and capitalises on these abilities for the combined good of all members. Me

mbers of the Clubhouse are recognised for their contribution, no matter how big or small that contribution is. There are no ‘patients’ in the Clubhouse. Members work together to support each other in the pursuit of personal goals. In the process, people develop the skills and self-esteem needed to regain control of meaningful and productive lives. The Clubhouse encourages community re-entry, the rebuilding of social relationships and the training of skills required to return to productive activity. Clubhouses operate via a structured system known as the work ordered day. The emphasis is on work that is required to run a Clubhouse. At Compass Clubhouse there are currently two work units, Administration and Cafe/Garden. The Administration Unit has varied tasks, including reception, newsletter production, recording and maintaining member records and updating publications. Clubhouse members have presented at international conferences and ABI network meetings. The Clubhouse has a state of the art coffee machine which is an integral aspect of the Cafe/Garden Unit. In addition to making coffee, members also cater for lunch each day, regularly using produce from the garden. Members choose who they want to work with and how they want to utilise the Clubhouse. There is sufficient staff to engage the members, yet not enough to make carrying out the Clubhouse responsibilities impossible without member involvement. A set of 33 Clubhouse standards has been developed and endorsed by IBICA that govern the operation, services, and purpose of all ABI clubhouses. To read Clubhouse standards please click on link - http://www.braininjuryclubhouses.net/standards.aspx