A non-profit in Richmond that provides support for people with mental illness will co-host a global seminar in the city next year.
Pathways Clubhouse, along with Clubhouse International, will welcome an estimated 800 to 1,000 guests to Richmond from Sept. 14 to 19.
Clubhouses are local centres where people with mental illness can access housing, employment and education services.
Clubhouse International connects the global network of locations, which consist of more than 350 centres in 33 countries.
At the seminar, staff, clubhouse members and supporters of Clubhouses will gather for workshops, listen to speakers and network.
Dave MacDonald, executive director of Pathways Clubhouse in Richmond, said the speakers, who may be experts from Clubhouses and the mental health field, will engage in larger meetings with guests. Attendees will then break off into about 10 different workshops.
The world seminar allows staff to stay up to date and advance the work they’re doing. For those who are new, it provides them with proper training, while it gives people interested in running a Clubhouse the opportunity to come together, MacDonald explained.
“It deals with a variety of mental health topics and mental wellness topics, but it's really about the Clubhouse model, from the basics of operating a Clubhouse and getting employment to (covering) more advanced-working Clubhouses,” he said.
Although the event lasts six days, MacDonald said there will be 10 days of Clubhouse officials in the city.
Clubhouse International’s board of directors and training bases will meet a couple of days before the seminar begins.
For another two days after the seminar, about 80 to 100 people within a body called the faculty for Clubhouse development, who are responsible for accrediting centres worldwide, will have their meeting in Richmond as well, MacDonald added.
Pathways Clubhouse was one of many global locations who put their name forward about a year ago to co-host the seminar, which takes place once every two years.
“When it comes to selection, they want to make sure number one, it's a strong Clubhouse,” MacDonald said. “They're aware of the work we do because we're accredited by Clubhouse International, but they also check out the city and the airport, making sure it's international.”
Clubhouse International used an outside company during the selection process, who also looked at the costs associated with running the event and if the host city had enough accommodations available for all the guests, he added.
Once Pathways Clubhouse was shortlisted, the two top officials from Clubhouse International then visited the team, had a tour from Tourism Richmond and checked out the venues.
A few months after that, they were selected, MacDonald said.
The seminar will take place at the Sheraton, with additional accommodations at the Marriott and Hilton hotels.
For staff at Clubhouses, MacDonald hopes they understand people with mental health challenges have the same dreams as anybody else.
“By following your community (and) your culture, you can help those living with mental illness to be contributing citizens in your community,” he said.
He also hopes members of Clubhouses who attend the seminar teach staff how to do their job properly, be reminded they are not alone in facing mental health issues and learn about the help available to them.
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