Teenagers find safety in the Clubhouse
Since 2009, the Boys Clubhouse has provided a safe haven for teenagers in crisis, adolescents who have become estranged from their family and society. Most of these young men have suffered some form of personal trauma and many are victims of abuse. The effect of any of these issues usually leads to a downward spiral of addiction and destructive behaviour.
The Boys Clubhouse has proved that, “when given a second chance, these young men can grow to be successful, contributing members of society”. It provides “rigorous intervention to help rehabilitate these young men from resignation to possibility”.
Through a programme of “compassionate mentoring” the Clubhouse creates an environment for personal development.
The Clubhouse’s wide range of programmes is designed to help each boy discover and make use of his individual strengths and abilities.
Using patience and perseverance, they “create positive change and help these young men to acquire the skills they need to replace a sense of failure with success in their life ahead”.
In the first instance, the Clubhouse provides secure and safe accommodation and basic life necessities as needed. This is often the first practical move in a host of tried and tested interventions with potentially life-changing effects for those involved.
The Clubhouse ‘office’ is a safe place for boys to meet and socialise. Mentors are at hand to discuss personal issues, call upon the services of qualified health professionals where necessary and create the social ambiance and friendship too often missing in these boys’ lives.
As one of the boys stated, “At the Boys’ Clubhouse, I know there is someone who cares about me.”
The organisation helps its users to catch up on missed educational opportunities and prepares them for the world of work with its vocational development provision.
This offers access to learning outside mainstream education, to plug the gaps caused by school exclusion. The boys can work towards accredited skills, including achievement in practical subjects such as web design, graphics and e-marketing, public relations, photography, design and graphics, stocktaking and warehousing.
The booming Clubhouse Business Enterprise, with its personalised gift eBay venture, teaches the young people how to acquire skills including basic level numeracy and literacy, as well as more sophisticated concepts about researching business ideas, building relationships with suppliers and customers, and managing money.
The in-house ClubH music studio provides a healthy outlet and is often the start of a journey towards accredited skills needed to succeed in the music industry, such as sound studio, live play and recording technology.
The recently refurbished premises include a fully equipped gym. Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. A fully qualified personal trainer and motivational coach, himself nurtured by the Boys Clubhouse, is on hand to provide tailormade training programmes. This has been particularly useful during the pandemic, which has resulted in increased anxiety and exacerbated mental health issues among young people.
The Boys Clubhouse also provides equine therapy, to develop emotional regulation, self-confidence and responsibility.
There is now a generation of former Clubhouse members who have jobs, careers and families of their own. Some of them are now providing employment and mentoring to some of the younger adolescents.
Boys Clubhouse director Ari Leaman says: “We treat them like family. We build up a family together. Over the long term, we remain friends. We don’t say goodbye.”
We treat them like family. We build up a family together’
Due to restrictions on social gatherings, the Clubhouse has been unable to hold its bi-annual dinner, usually its main source of funding. Covid has placed additional strain on its resources with a 35 per cent increase in referrals. It is therefore reaching out to the community to help, by supporting its 36-hour campaign on June 27/28. See https://theclubhouse.biz/