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Hello everyone, this is the thirteenth edition of the Clubhouse Network Newsletter. Thanks to everyone who made contributions to this issue. We aim to include as much of your content as possible. Please let us know what you would like to see included in future issues. Etruria Canals Festival The 2nd and 3rd of June saw the Etruria Canals Festival take place at Etruria Industrial Museum. This annual event brings together crafts, entertainment, food and drink with a splendid backdrop of beautiful narrow boats at the confluence of the Cauldon and Trent and Mersey canals.

Beautiful Narrowboats Pack The Navigation

Volunteers Who Worked on the The Bone And Flint Mill project: Brighter Futures had a stall at Phil Bowyer the event on the Saturday. Adam Campbell The stall featured all of our Howard Dexter publicity material and The Gary Dutton Clubhouse Network Maralyn Edwards Newsletter. Mark Gilbert Sue Reeve The Future Is Bright Phil Scoggins We had beforehand made up Jean Sturgess the information packs which we We saw many other Brighter gave out to the public. Of 149 Futures customers throughout packs made up 109 were the day and also some people distributed. Maralyn and Jean in who said they were having particular were ace salespeople mental health problems and Our Information Stand distributing most of our packs. that Brighter Futures might be

just what they needed.

Have fun with this Sudoku Puzzle! ALSAGER CARNIVAL

No Wonder He’s Juggling, The Things Are On Fire th On 9 June members visited Alsager Carnival. The carnival parades through the town and finishes in (The solution is on the notice boards) the park. Prizes were given for the best floats and The Newsletter Online walking groups. The current newsletter and back issues are now available online. Scan this QR Code to be taken to the webpage where you can view the newsletters.

A Diner On Wheels. Mine’s Eggs Over Easy Use the QR code or type in this URL There was plenty of food available in the park. The http://www.brighter-futures.org.uk/clubhouse- local cubs and scouts were selling burgers and hot network-newsletter dogs. A great time was had by all on a very hot day. Photography Group Newsletter Availability Learn to take better photos! The As well as the print edition, the newsletter is photography group meets every Tuesday available in other formats. From The American an from 10:30am at the American Clubhouse. audible version of the newsletter is available on CD Howard and Dave run this group. to borrow, listen and copy. In addition an audible Colouring Group mp3 version and text version are on the desktop of The Colouring Group meets at the American the customer computers at The American. If you Clubhouse (in the main room) on Thursdays would like to receive the Newsletter by email (as 2:00pm – 4:00pm. All members are welcome. text or audio) ask Gary, Howard or Mark. You can This group is facilitated by Charlotte and Jean. also send a request to Please come along and take part in this [email protected] to be creative and relaxing activity. put on our emailing list.

Your monthly Newsletter is created by: Reporter: Gary Dutton Reporter: Howard Dexter Editor: Mark Gilbert Proofreader: Gary Dutton Approval: Sharon Godwin Printed at Whittle Court And all the members who made contributions to this issue.

THE DIRECTORY Places Members May Like To Visit Name Where What Impact Boxing Brocksford Street Fenton Boxing fitness classes Root and Fruit Trubshawe Community Learn how to grow your own food Allotment Kniveden Leek Gardening and growing, , woodwork, Jewellery and Partnership alternative therapies Growth Point Shelton Allotment Site Gardening, growing. Tutor Led Cultural Squatters 51/53 Merrial Street Cafe, Table Tennis, Art Newcastle under Lyme One rule. Our rule. #bekind ST5 2AH http://culturalsquatters.uk/ Over 55 Lunch Club Centre Are you 55 years or older? If so come and join our Luncheon Club Monday from 1:30 pm. Activities, including gentle exercise (1:30 – 2:00 pm), follow by lunch and three games of bingo. All for £4.00 Echo Art Workshop Swan Bank Methodist Group Art Session. Art co-ordinator facilitated. Open door Church membership policy, no booking required - for Brighter Futures Clubhouse members experiencing self harm.

If you have questions about any of these venues, activities or events ask Mark for further details. This directory will expand each month as we visit or learn about new venues and activities.

Clubhouse Network Newsletter Into Its Second Year. Remember These?

Can you believe that the Clubhouse Network Newsletter is into its second year? We hope you think that the newsletter has become progressively better over the last year. Don’t forget that this is your newsletter and we cannot produce it without you. A huge thank-you to everyone who has contributed. We hope to keep improving the newsletter over the coming months and that you will continue to enjoy reading it.

Ten Pin Bowling Local History Quarter, providing a new Would any members be We hope you enjoyed reading entrance space with interested in going to have a go about master potter Josiah information desk and a café. at ten pin bowling? Talk to Jesse in Issue #12. This This Month’s Recipe month features Victoria Hall in if you would like to come along. We hope you had a go at Hanley. Details to be confirmed. making the IKEA meatballs in Useful Contacts Victoria Hall issue #12 of the newsletter. Clubhouse Network: The Victoria hall is a popular Here is another easy to make The American - 835 220 venue for musical performances and very tasty recipe. Enjoy of all types from rock to baked turkey ragu; proper The Observatory - 272 799 classical. The last two comfort food. Whether you 24/7 0300 1231535 Ext. 1470 performances your editor has are a would-be contestant on Brighter Futures Helpline - been to see at the Vicky Hall Master Chef or ‘can’t boil an 0808 800 2234 were Suzanne Vega and the egg’ please give this a go! Echo - 07500 444 4116 Can’t Sing Choir. Both excellent Cooking yourself a nutritious in their own way. meal can be very rewarding Safe Spaces Network - 811 815 Victoria Hall was constructed as whether it is just for you, North Staffs Mind - 262 100 an annex to Hanley Town Hall in friends or family. Please let us Citizens’ Advice Bureau – 1888, as part of the city's have any recipes you enjoy 0344 411 1444 celebrations for Queen making. This recipe serves 4 Victoria's Golden Jubilee. – 6. [email protected] Originally the building had a www.snscab.org.uk capacity of 2800 people, but Changes – 413 101 this has since been reduced Headway House –280 952 considerably to 1467 as seating Greenfields – 0300 790 0236 replaced wooden forms and Sutherland Centre – 0300 123 benches. The original building 1162 was made of red brick and GrowthPoint – 0300 123 0907 terracotta, and designed by local borough surveyor Joseph Lobley. Turkey Ragu Ingredients:

Brighter Futures QR Code. Scan to be taken to the Brighter Futures website or

use: Old And New Victoria Hall http://www.brighter-futures.org.uk/ As an adjunct to the town hall, Walking Group the building originally had Want some gentle exercise? minimal front-of-house There is a walking group every facilities. To remedy this, an Tuesday starting at 1:00pm from extension was constructed in 24/7. 1999 as part of the development of the Cultural

Method: Football with the facilities (lounge and Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Football for everyone. Don’t kitchen included) and what Add the onions and cook for 8-10 forget Walking Football is still was being offered. mins until softened. Add the on. Tuesday from 2:00pm to Album Of The Month mince and brown all over. Once 3:00pm. This activity is at In this new feature Music browned, add the garlic, Dimensions on Scotia Road and Man will review an album of tomatoes, chipotle paste and is free to take part in. his choice. This month’s chicken stock, and bring to the If you are over 50 and would album review is of boil. Turn down to a simmer and like to play regular football then “Wilderness” by “Snow cook, uncovered for 35-40 mins, there is a weekly group starting Patrol”. adding a splash of water if it at the YMCA (Hanley) looks too dry. Wednesdays 11:00 – 12:00, While the turkey cooks, boil the Thursdays 6:00pm-7:00pm. pasta following pack instructions, then drain, reserving some of the water. In a small pan warm through the mascarpone with a splash of the hot pasta water over a low heat. Add 140g of the The band have certainly kept cheddar season and stir to their fans waiting as it’s been combine. seven years since the release Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas Pete, Mickey, Dave and Phil B of “Fallen Empires” (2011). 6. Transfer the turkey sauce to a Although during this time the large baking dish. Stir the cheese ready for Kick Off Play football with Brighter band have been writing for sauce through the pasta and other artists. pour over the mince. Sprinkle Futures on Mondays 2:00pm – The album gets off to a flying the remaining cheddar and the 3:00pm at the YMCA Hanley. start with singles “Life on Parmesan on top. Bake in the Impact Boxing Fenton Earth”, “Don’t Give In” and oven for 20 mins or until golden An interested group of people “Empress”. After the funky, and crispy at the edges. from the American went to visit catchy “Dark Switch” the Impact Boxing in Fenton pace slows down with stripped back ballads “What Events if this is all the love” and “Soon” proving that Gary If you would like an Lightbody can write a love event publicising in the song with the best of ‘em. newsletter please let us The last song “Life and know. Death” is the longest at 5:30, a slow burner and for me gets

The venue is owned by wife and better with each listen. Day Trips husband team. Jacqui and Scott Finally, I would recommend There are lots of day trips Lawton. As well as a well that you buy or download the throughout 2018. Go along on a equipped gym they offer boxing Deluxe CD as there are five trip, you will have a great time. classes for fitness all at very extra acoustic versions of the See Howard or Gary for latest reasonable prices. tracks. The group was very impressed details. So a definite thumbs up from

me for the band probably most Volunteering I have been with Brighter famous for the massive single There are many different Futures since 2011. I have a “chasing cars”. volunteering opportunities role with Brighter Futures as Seven years is a long time to be within the Clubhouse Network. administration assistant in away but as I write this extra Volunteering can be very the Business Growth, dates are being added to the beneficial and help develop Communications and band’s large venue tour with fans skills, such as communication, Marketing Team. eager to hear live songs old and money handling, organising, My voluntary role is as an art new. events, pool tournaments or workshop facilitator at working in the cafes. Music Man Furlong Court.

GIANT KNITTING At Echo Mental Health Day

Volunteer Stories Do you volunteer with Brighter Futures? We would like to print

your story about how you came In Action, Channeling to volunteer. Jackson Pollock At Furlong If you feel that you would like to Court try volunteering then please contact Mel McClure at Brighter Futures. Ange With The Giant Knitting This month’s volunteer is Alison For World Mental Health Day at who tells us about her voluntary the Echo group we have been work and life outside of Brighter knitting bunting. Which we have Futures. thoroughly enjoyed. The clients had a little production team going on. Some people are now knitting at home and have said how much more relaxed they have been feeling as a result. Now we are going to the extreme. Knitting our way back to sanity we are going to cast on Abstract Expression great big thick needles and extra I also do some voluntary thick wool. relief work for Echo when Ange needed.

Alison

I have a passion for art and I am a The lunch was catered for the members were very friendly. member of Stoke-on-Trent Urban volunteers by the Catering I attended the Observatory Sketchers. Recently we went Network. It really was an and the art group at The sketching at Cheddleton Flint Mill excellent and delicious meal. American. which was very enjoyable. There was a fun and fascinating I have enjoyed the maths and We travelled down to poetry reading. This was English groups at the Southampton to meet up with a enjoyed by everyone. American. similar group. We sketched various places in the urban environment.

Alison’s Excellent Sketch Of I joined Urban Sketchers in 2016 and now plan events for them. I have recently begun to write poetry with poetry group The Exciting Writers of Biddulph.

I like listening to all types of The Giant Knitting Had An Lee music and viewing art taking Outing With Jean On The Sticks In the last year and a half I place in the Biddulph area. have been volunteering with Ange brought the giant knitting Volunteer Celebration property services. I work with her and a few people had a The annual Volunteer doing water testing and go with the big sticks. Celebration took place at Furlong painting amongst other Court on 6th June. Volunteers Thanks from all the volunteers things. I very much enjoy were invited to come along for a to Brighter Futures for putting doing this work and won a lunch with fun activities. on this event for us. Brighter Futures Volunteer Air Hockey was popular as was award in 2017. table tennis. There was an Clubhouse Stories Brighter Futures has helped opportunity to use the gym. Please give us your stories of me tremendously with my Representatives from Fit 4 Less what the Clubhouse Network self confidence. (Tunstall) came along to assess means to you. I very much enjoy coming to peoples’ fitness. This Month We Have Lee the groups and volunteering. I have been attending the American Clubhouse for seven Talk To Us! years. One of my friends used You can give any to attend at The Observatory contributions to Gary, which was how I found out Howard or Mark. You can about the Clubhouse Network. also send ideas or stories to I attended the American for the volunteeringlande@brighter- first time on my own. I was a futures.org.uk bit nervous but I found that the Delicious Lunch

Mike Moors Garden 24/7 Steve and his team have Here are a couple of pictures Nail Art takes place on the first delivered x 3 sessions a week showing the garden in bloom. Sunday of every month from at the Observatory clubhouse 12:00pm till 2:00pm at 24/7 in partnership with Brighter (Hillcrest). Futures, these include a woman only group on Monday, Jam Factory music group on Wednesday and men only on Friday. An ex-teacher, Steve has had a varied career. For ten years, with his brother, he was a professional musician. Signed by EMI and Warner Brothers, the siblings were known as The Rhead Karaoke Brothers.

The Flowers And Veg Looking The Karaoke Nights at 24/7 are Great great fun! All Clubhouse members are very welcome.

Steve with his Yuke Releasing two albums Dedicate and Black Shaheen both sold well in Japan and Don’t worry you do not have to America where their songs sing, just go along and enjoy are still played on the radio. listening to the tunes. Describing their sound as a This takes place on the first bit like the Eagles and Steely Wednesday of every month Dan both can be downloaded from 4:30pm till 7:30pm. on YouTube.

Blooming Marvelous Sunday Lunch Steve says his biggest Raffles Did you know you can get a pleasure has been seeing The Baking Raffle raised £36.00. delicious Sunday lunch at 24/7 members develop through The winning number was held by from 12:00pm-1:30pm and music. Going on to write Emma (Echo). 2:00pm – 3:00pm? their own songs, learning to Please can people donate prizes The cost is £4.25 with proceeds play various instruments and for the next raffle? Any going back into the catering then being able to teach reasonable items accepted. network. others to play. Please can winners return their Steve Rhead Over the years Steve has put wicker baskets if possible!!! On Friday the 29th June the many bands together to play See Jean to donate for future Observatory in Hanley will bid a at places like the American raffles. fond farewell to Steve Rhead. on Thanksgiving Day and Thanks to Jean for organising the from North Staffs Combined other local venues but said raffles. Healthcare trust.

the strangest was a prison, dubbing it “Westport on Sea!” about the past or worries where before they were allowed In 2009, major work was about the future. If you are in, most of their possessions, completed on a £1.3 million firmly grounded in the including house keys had to be café and visitor centre. The present moment, the past handed in! architects were the renowned can be an object of enquiry, On his retirement Steve says he Walker Simpson and the the object of your wants to do hill walking and at building has many unique mindfulness and some point voluntary work in the features. concentration. You can Leek area. attain many insights by He said he will still call into the looking into the past. But Observatory to catch up with you are still grounded in the everyone, the advantage now present moment. being he won’t have the paper Thích Nhất Hạnh work to do! This month’s Mindful Finally he would like to thank all Moments the staff and members for their The Café. Pic: Dave Forrester Mindfulness is becoming help and support and we all hope Made with reclaimed brick, it’s aware that absolutely Steve has a long healthy very energy efficient with a nothing in the Universe is retirement. wooden frame it is insulated mundane. AMERICAN LITTER PICKERS with straw bales, solar panels We have two ears and one Apologies to Subway who we provide some of the electricity mouth, so we should listen missed from the list of businesses and on the roof rain water is more than we say. who gave donations for the collected. Zeno of Citium American Litter Pick. This is used when the centre’s toilets are flushed! We should look for someone During the mile long stroll to eat and drink with, before around the lake, you will see looking for something to eat many species of wild life. There and drink. They kindly donated a meal. are bikes to hire from the Green Epicurus Thanks Subway! Door project for the able bodied

City Places To Visit and for people of various We all know that Stoke is an disability. Crafting At The industrial city but with the parks, You can take a picnic using the American greenways and canal tow-paths, many tables around the lake or Clubhouse nearly half, 45% is green! visit the café for delicious There is a craft group every Our first place to visit in this new Staffordshire oatcakes! Tuesday between 10:00am feature is Westport Lake. There Next month editor Mark visits a and 14:00pm at the American has been a lake on the site since country park for a free work in the conservatory. Enjoy the 1800s but in 1972, after a out! major face lift the Prime making all manner of crafted Mindfulness Minister, Ted Heath, was lured items. What is Mindfulness? from Westminster for an official To dwell in the here and now opening. This free attraction does not mean you never think proved to be popular and in a about the past or plan summer soon after several tons responsibly for the future. of sand was deposited on the shore, with the “Sentinel” The idea is simply not to allow yourself to get lost in regrets The Craft Group

I have been manager at Safe seeing the progress people Spaces for three months. Prior make with the help people to this I was deputy manager for receive at Safe Spaces. eighteen months. When I’m not working I enjoy I am in charge of the general camping; I have a tent and a running of the house and I camper van. Spending time process referrals to Safe Spaces. with my family. I love all Janice And Claire Card Making The building has five bedrooms types of music depending on and we can cater for up to ten my mood. Now my children customers per week. Each have grown up Daisy my dog person stays Friday to Monday is my baby. or Tuesday to Friday. Race for Life Lou Harris and Paige Roberts entered this year’s Race For Life at Trentham Gardens. Frank Building A Model Starship Paige raised money for The group is open to all Cancer Relief. members. Please come along and take part in this enjoyable activity. Claire leads this group.

Words With Paige Here I stand on the edge of Jackie freedom holding on to life by a thread, I let the truth of lies hold me back no more, fighting through a desert of doubt left me foggy like a winters morning, poetically speaking a way to freedom is how a life like mine keeps on living, for a day never Safe Spaces QR Code. goes by without a struggle for http://www.brighter- Paige and Lou In The Pink freedom from a pain upon high— futures.org.uk/safe-spaces After Paige Roberts We aim to provide a calm The Race For Life Inside Brighter Futures environment so people can Caption Competition There are many parts to Brighter have time for themselves whilst Futures. These are known experiencing mental health collectively as the ‘Schemes’ of issues. which the Clubhouse Network is Wholesome food during a stay one. includes a breakfast and Each month we will be featuring evening meal daily. someone from one of the Customers are free to come and Schemes. This month we have go from Safe Spaces during their You still have a month to Jackie Smith who is Operations stay. come up for a winning Manager at Safe Spaces. I get immense satisfaction from caption for Paige’s photo.

Jokes This month we have a selection I want my mind to be just mine, Thursday Closed. Friday Man Days. Bookable guitar of Jokes from ace joke teller and Then I’m sure everything will be lessons, Music studio bookable masterful magician Tommy just fine. practice sessions 10:00am – Cooper. Just Like That! 12:30pm. Maybe one day they’ll just get Electricity is a wonderful thing. Photography Club 10:00am – up and leave for good 1:00pm. Do you realize that if we didn’t I just really wish that they soon Art. Informal band have electric we’d all be would. performance/rehearsal 1:30pm – watching TV by candle light. J Nixon 4:00pm. I met my wife at a dance – I The American Timetable thought she was at home with 24/7 Timetable Monday Open 9:30am – 4:00pm. the kids. Monday Social Space – Craft, Art, Pool, Pool Tournament 12:30pm – Board Games, Chat 9:00am – 9:00pm. 4:00pm. Social 1:00pm – 4:00pm. I just invested in a ladder without Tuesday Social Space – Games and Tuesday Open 9:30am – 4:00pm. steps so I can clean windows on Quiz Afternoon 9:00am – 9:00pm. Craft Group 10:00am – 2:00pm. the ground floor. Walking group starting at 1:00pm. Social 2:00pm – 4:00pm. My wife had a bad habit of biting Wednesday Art Workshop 10:00am – Wednesday Open 9:30am – her nails, but I cured her. I hid 2:00pm.Arts and Crafts 11:00am – 2:00pm. her teeth. 2:00pm. Karaoke Evening 4:30pm – Thursday Open 9:30am – 6:00pm 7:30pm on the first Wednesday of Art Workshop 10:00am – 2:00pm. I sleep like a baby. Every night I every month. (24/7open 9:00am – Help with computers, phones and wake up screaming at 2:00 9:00pm as usual) tablets 1:00pm – 3:00pm. o’clock. Thursday Social Space – Art, Pool, Friday Open 9:30am – 4:00pm. Board Games, Chat 9:00am – 9:00pm. Training when available. Creative Poets’ Corner Friday Hand Massage by appointment Writing 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Games This bit is for you. In each issue only 12:00pm – 2:00pm. and Quiz afternoon 2:00pm – we like to include your poetry or Saturday Open 9:00am – 12:00pm. 3:00pm. creative writing. Any Breakfast Club – Toast and your first contributions will be appreciated. drink free. Open 9:00am – 9:00pm. Jokes (clean ones) are also welcome. Demons There are demons inside of me, Although they’re trying to break free. Observatory Timetable I can’t find the way you let them Monday Women Only Service out. Art and crafts, Relaxation, Bingo – Will They escape if I scream and 10:00am – 4:00pm. shout? Art Workshop – 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Tuesday Art Workshop 10:00am – I don’t want them in this body of 2:00pm Massage therapies by mine anymore, appointment only 12:00pm – 2:00pm. If only I could find them in this Wednesday Jam Factory. Guided body of mine anymore, music workshops. Electric and acoustic instruments, digital track recording, If only I could find the key to karaoke. Referral required. Call Steve open the door. Rhead on 07540 673 560 for an appointment to view the project.

Mindful Colouring Express yourself in colour with this mindfulness colouring picture from the Art Group At The American. The picture is a view down Century Street before the end of the bottle oven era.

Thanks to everyone who Contributed to this issue of the Clubhouse Network Newsletter.