SF Otago Branch Profile
Based in Dunedin, SF Otago run three distinct and original operations: Fieldworker Services, the Tapestry Clubhouse and Simply the Best op-shop.Jo Ollerenshaw, Denise Adamson and Lisa Muir make up SF Otago’s dedicated fieldworker team, providing information, advocacy and education to service users and their families. The team also offers useful information about mental illness and treatment options, accommodation, medications, relevant legislation and regional mental health services.
The Fieldwork Team run monthly support meetings in Dunedin and Balclutha, and we have an extensive library of useful books and DVDs.
Tapestry Clubhouse provides support for people with mental illness, in an informal yet productive ‘clubhouse’ environment and is stongly based around a typical work-ordered day. The project is managed by Jak Dennison and a team of skilled facilitators but run by members themselves. In 2006, Tapestry Clubhouse received accreditation from the International Clubhouse Centre for Development (ICCD).
At the Clubhouse, service users are given the opportunity to ‘rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, employment, education, and to access the services and support they may need’, according to ICCD guidelines. Clubhouse activities are run according to the ‘work-ordered day’ principle which assists members in re-entering the work force and re-activating their self-esteem. Find out more about Tapestry Clubhouse here.
Located next door to Branch Office on Prince Albert Street, St. Kilda, Simply the Best op-shop has been running for 14 years. The shop is managed by much loved volunteer Kathy Hunt, and funds raised provide valuable support for SF Otago programmes and activities.
SF Otago’s newest programme is Children Understanding Mental Illness (CUMI), beginning in February 2008.
The big fundraising event of 2007 was a very successful Plant Sale. Inspired and organised by Jo – the fieldwork team leader and with the help of SF Otago families and friends, they raised $4,000 for training and education.
According to Kathryn Olcott “2007 was a very rewarding year for SF Otago”, who were awarded the Power Community Services Award in the Health and Wellbeing category, as well as being named The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants’ “charity of choice”.