1. Evaluation capacity building amongst members of a clubhouse for people with mental illness Presenters: Sarah Marshall,Kristen Phillips and Pon Singh

2. Community Engagement Grant,University of Wollongong Prof. Frank Deane (Director iiMH) member of Light & Hope Committee. Overseeing development of Clubhouse in Illawarra Need to engage/empower people with mental illness in local area who would become Clubhouse members One avenue-through provision of training in research and evaluation skills & orientation to Clubhouses iiMH previous work training people with mental illness in research activities (e.g. CEO-MHS, Oades et al.) This direction: Consistent with International Clubhouse Standards –people with mental illness should be actively involved in ALL clubhouse activities-including research and evaluation

3. Intro continued… Consistent with policy promoting consumer participation at all levels of mental health services (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003; Australian Health Ministers, 2003) Medical and mental health literature-benefits of involving consumers in research (e.g. personal, improved services, validity of research etc) Timing advantageous. –Benefits of engaging /familiarising people with Clubhouse/benefits and need for research prior to Clubhouse opening its doors Applied Community Engagement Grant/UOW

4. Developing the training program… Q: What already exists to support training of Clubhouse members in research and evaluation activities? –Review of literature/ICCD website/contact with researchers locally and internationally –Approach varied greatly from clubhouse to clubhouse –Research often an afterthought (when Clubhouse is already up and running). –BUT miss critical opportunity to understand/measure benefits of Clubhouse for members from outset. –Research not an add on but something that built into Clubhouse activity from outset-engage consumers and staff –Some recent work around developing research training modules-Pioneer Clubhouse (Nicola Hancock and team)

5. Developing the training program… Pioneer modules user friendly for people with little to no exposure to ‘ research ’. Formed core content for training groups Nine modules tailored to meet needs of Illawarra group Key message: –Research does not need to be scary –Research can assist in development of a better Clubhouse for all members Learning about Clubhouses used to explore and understand research and evaluation activities –(e.g. searching library database for information on Clubhouses, practice interviewing skills by mock interview of Clubhouse member) Inclusion of general knowledge around Clubhouses (e.g., ICCD standards, familiarise with ICCD website, site visit to Pioneer)

6. Recruitment…. EOI flyer distributed widely around Illawarra-local area mental health services, Compeer, ARAFMI, local social community support and recovery groups Key selection criteria: –willingness to acquire new knowledge/skills –desire to support other consumers/ideally go on to be involved in new Clubhouse Group facilitator met with potential participants in informal setting (e.g. by attending groups) to explain what project was about Ten people recruited. Nine went on to regularly attend groups held at iiMH

7. The training groups: an adult learning environment… Group met once a week at iiMH, U.Wollongong Met for 10 weeks. Duration of 2 hours per meeting –(off site half day visit to Pioneer, local library). Only time to cover bare basics! Groups facilitated (Sarah) within adult learning environment Guest presenters (e.g. Light and Hope committee members, a consumer consultant/researcher). –Added interest and built relationships

8. The training groups: an adult learning environment… Members encouraged to share existing experience/knowledge and to support other members –e.g. use of computers, setting up email, previous research experience Participants encouraged to take their own notes during groups Welcome and celebratory lunch provided on entry and at end of program Other relevant stakeholders invited- opportunity to build relationships

9. Program evaluation People completed a questionnaire on entry and at end of program –Examined skills and knowledge acquired over program –Final session questions to enquire around experiences of program e.g. what liked/could be improved Pre training –most people had limited or no knowledge of Clubhouse (some did not know that one was being built in local area!), –most had limited to no exposure to basic research principles –A number of people had limited or no confidence around using computers/email Peoples responses at end of 10 week program showed a general improvement in knowledge and skills relevant to the program

10. What group members said: a brief snapshot….. General experiences of training program: “ fun, educational, informative, well organised, I have made good friends and obtained an interest in research ” “ very rewarding, relaxing and excellent in terms of exchanging ideas/viewpoints and it has been fun ” What have you learnt/personal highlights: “ how to listen more closely and everyone has valid ideas and comments to contribute on all topics ” “ how to set up an email, use the computer, different research tools and the difference of each ” “ I have learnt a lot about Clubhouses and the main aims in running them, I have learnt the basics of research.. ”

11. Beyond the training program… The training program aimed to support members to meet independently Six members continue to meet fortnightly in Illawarra (Inspirations group) Free meeting space provided by Light and Hope committee Group members are kept up to date on progress around Clubhouse via email –e.g. updates around building progress etc

12. Challenges and future directions More time for training –e.g. “ a bit more in the use of computers and emails ”, “ maybe longer sessions ” Timing of training too soon? –Perhaps better offered closer to Clubhouse opening? Alternatively better support offered? Need in local community to raise awareness of mental illness and education of the public-stronger teams of people with and without an illness working together We are people too! Educational role of the Clubhouse and Inspirations group in the future