Celebrating group that’s breaking down barriers

10:54am Friday 25th July 2008

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A small charity in York is working hard to bridge the gap between leaving hospital and returning to everyday life for people recovering from mental illness, as MARK STEAD reports.

YOU probably won’t have heard about Our Celebration – but maybe you should have.

Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac off Clifton Green in York, it was set up 22 years ago by Emmy Burdon as a place where people could find a way of breaking through the debilitating fog of mental illness while being treated with dignity and respect.

Now based at Highcliffe Court, Our Celebration is an independent charity which provides mental health services in York and the surrounding area, and which aims to destroy the barriers of social exclusion which many people often face.

The charity, which receives support from City of York Council and local health trusts, focuses its efforts on work-related training to help people coping with conditions such as psychosis and schizophrenia find jobs or gain skills.

In addition, it runs craft workshops and a design and print studio for those not ready for employment.

It also organises a series of clubs and leisure activities.

At the heart of Our Celebration is general manager David Smith, 37, who says: “Over the years, there have been so many improvements to the way people recovering from mental ill-health are treated by both the NHS and society as a whole.

“And although there is still some way to go, mental illness is no longer a hidden disease which nobody talks about.

“The change in emphasis from treating people in hospital to community-based, preventative and recovery-focused services has brought benefits for many people in York.

“Despite these changes, the need for charities such as Our Celebration is as strong as ever. We have a small team of paid staff and volunteers, and we are currently supporting around 100 people every week by delivering a range of activities.

“And these include training projects, therapeutic workshops, arts and leisure projects. We see people as individuals – we think we provide something which is missing.

“We’re filling a gap between somebody leaving hospital – and we believe the NHS does a fantastic job – and returning to everyday life.” Among the success stories Our Celebration highlights is Amy, from York, who joined its training project as she looked for something to occupy her while she recovered from a spell in hospital – she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition which meant she had to give up her job.

She does not want to give her full name, but after taking part in Our Celebration’s computer course, she reinforced her confidence until she was studying for ten hours a week and making new friends.

Since then, she has found a new job, but, according to David: “She still calls in when she thinks things are getting on top of her.”

David has been in charge of Our Celebration for two-and-a-half years, and his enthusiasm for the charity continues to shine through.

“Working with the people who come to us – it’s absolutely amazing,” he says.

“It gives me meaning and purpose, and that’s the case for everybody who works here. We’re a charity which makes a difference – that gives us a great deal of satisfaction.”

* If you would like to find out more about Our Celebration, or want to make a donation which will allow it to continue its work, phone 01904 643364, log on to www.ourcelebration.org.uk, or send an email to office@ourcelebration.org.uk