Staff and friends of Port Macquarie's Endeavour Mental Health Recovery Clubhouse have been championing on behalf of people living with mental illness for almost 20 years.
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The clubhouse's trademark resilience has again come to the fore in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Endeavour CEO Rob Moorehead concedes that the coronavirus outbreak created enormous challenges for the clubhouse's 300-plus members, all of whom have a diagnosed mental illness.
However, he reassures the community that Endeavour continues to support and work with its members through this uncertain time.
"Clubhouse has been through its share of trials but this situation has presented us with some unprecedented challenges," Mr Moorehead said.
"Just as we've seen right across the community, the anxiety levels of our members have increased significantly in the face of this threat from COVID-19.
"However, our members are telling us their anxiety is not so much related to the virus itself, but rather the ongoing social isolation."
When the members couldn't come to the clubhouse due to the pandemic, the clubhouse adapted to provide one-on-one service delivery to members in the community.
Phone calls, FaceTime catch-ups and Zoom meetings also kept people connected.
The clubhouse's mental health services have now moved to a mix of one-on-one delivery in the community and services delivered from the clubhouse.
A COVID-19 safety plan is in place at the clubhouse, along with strict disinfection procedures, social distancing is maintained and the day is split into the morning and afternoon to limit numbers.
"We are gradually working our way back," Mr Moorehead said.
"The members love being back and seeing their friends."
Endeavour Clubhouse is a voluntary community-based program providing a safe environment where people dealing with mental illness can reconnect with the community.
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