Brixton-based mental health charity Mosaic Clubhouse has been shortlisted in this year’s national Charity Governance awards.
Based in Effra Road, the charity helps people living with mental health issues to re-join the worlds of friendship, family, employment and education.
More than 300 clubhouse members – all living with mental illness – run the centre alongside 19 staff. Services include support in finding employment, education and housing – as well as a café and evening sanctuary.
Mosaic Clubhouse is in the running for the Managing Turnaround award and a £5,000 grant for the way in which it coped with relocating from its long-time home in Atkins Road off the South Circular in Clapham and taking on new responsibilities.
Chief executive Maresa Ness said: “We learned how to grab a major challenge and turn it into the best opportunity ever.
“Now we’re bigger, stronger and more successful than ever before. We couldn’t have done this without our talented and committed board of trustees.
“Their determination, flexibility and creativity have guided us through the most significant period of change in our history.”
Brian (a clubhouse member whose name has been changed to protect his identity) said: “I like coming to the clubhouse to give myself a break from feeling like I am trapped in my flat sometimes.
“I can feel like the walls are caving in, like my thoughts are racing and I can hear voices – this makes me feel tired and restless.
“When I feel like this, I feel that I need a different surrounding with people to talk to which causes the voices I hear to lessen. By coming to the clubhouse, my train of thoughts change for the better – my mind feels more calm and peaceful.”
In 2012 Lambeth council awarded Mosaic an expanded contract to provide a mental health information service in collaboration with Lambeth and Southwark Mind. Any Lambeth citizen can access the service for information on any mental health related matter.
Mosaic is on a shortlist of 18 charities in six categories for the awards.
Winners will be announced on 12 May.
The Charity Governance Awards are organised by the Clothworkers’ Company – a City Livery company that supports trusteeship initiatives in partnership with not-for-profit consultancy New Philanthropy Capital; volunteer-matching charity Reach; and recruitment specialists Prospectus.
Read more about Mosaic in the Brixton Bugle.
Mosaic Clubhouse: 65 Effra Road, SW2 1BZ | 020 7924 9657 | infohub@mosaic-clubhouse.org
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00.
They’ve won the award for managing turnaround! Congrats