New View Centre

The New View Centre is a cooperative community designed to create a healthy environment within which individuals, who are recovering from mental illness, can achieve the confidence and skills necessary to reach personal goals. Members participate in designing the programs and making it an enjoyable environment through volunteering in units and taking part in other projects and recreational opportunities. Members are expected to participate in organizing light lunches and in maintaining the cleanliness of the space.

The New View Centre exists because we believe:

• Meaningful work is a positive force in the life of every human being, including the opportunity to aspire to and achieve gainful employment.
• Social skills can and do improve in a cooperative setting.
• Staff and members work side by side and share in the work of the programs.
• These are important elements for you if you choose to become involved.
• The Centre provides valuable opportunities for you to take advantage of:

You will have membership: As a member (rather than a patient or client), you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the focus and direction of the Society.

You will be expected: Your participation in our community will make a difference to all of us, and other members anticipate your attendance at the programs.

You are wanted: Without you, the programs do not work.

You are needed: Without your participation, something will be missing.

We believe that to have a well-rounded life, a person needs to develop rewarding social/recreational skills. The Centre provides the opportunity to engage in both recreational and social events.

The Centre is a place where many kinds of work are done to enable you to develop habits, skills, and attitudes that will be helpful to you in society. Some of the jobs are easy and some are more complicated. Everyone is here to help you acquire new skills. We also have a lot of fun along the way!

The Centre is unique in that it offers both work and friendship to all those who participate, regardless of their level of proficiency.

New View Centre FAQs:

Do you serve lunches? Can anyone sign up for lunch?

• There may be a light lunch. This is only available to members, and is only possible with the participation of everyone who would like a lunch.

I have just become a member, how do I sign up for the lunch?

• If you would like to be put on the list for lunch, please make sure to let us know by 10:15am. You can either show up at the Drop-In, or call 604-552-3111 to let us know.

When do the activities take place? How can I get a list of the upcoming events?

• Leisure activities are scheduled regularly: a schedule is posted on the Message Board.

Does New View plan evening or weekend events?

• Weekend and evening activities are offered occasionally. Remember to check the Message Board for a complete list.

Who do I talk to if I have an idea about an event?

• Any ideas and concerns are discussed at our membership meetings (Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.) We also provide a suggestion box where you can anonymously submit ideas or concerns in writing.

Can anyone sign up to join an event?

• Our events are open to everyone with a current New View membership. Remember, space is limited for events, so sign up early.

When do you offer free coffee?

• Anyone attending our weekly membership meetings is welcome to enjoy one free cup of coffee when the meeting has adjourned. Also, for those attending our Friday night coffee house, your first two cups of coffee between 6pm and 7pm are on us!

What bus do I take to get there?

• The bus you need to take will depend on where you are travelling from, and what time of day you are coming to the clubhouse. Please visit the TransLink website at http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca and follow the steps.

CLUBHOUSE TEAMS

CREATIVE EXPRESSION TEAM

Here is where we encourage people to explore their artistic ideas. We want people to develop projects that reflect their interests and passions. There are a wide variety of activities that you can participate in or learn about. We have rug hooking, knitting, crocheting, art, sewing, beading and anything else you could dream of. We have books in the library to help promote creativity.

We also have a practical side. We also do mending and alterations – keep it simple though. We know that your clothes have to go as far as possible – we just want to keep you looking good as you go along! You have a choice of paying a small fee for the job or we can take a few minutes more and you can learn how to do for yourself – for the next time (no charge to you). We have the equipment available for you to use (sewing machine)

The Craft Team also helps out with decorations when the season is right. Hearts around Valentine’s Day or snowflakes for Christmas. We need you to help with keeping the Clubhouse festive.

Sometimes we have an organized activity (card making, vision boards) and we encourage each and every member to help out.

Have a look at some of the beautiful creations our members have produced:

The New View Review – Newsletter Team

New View provides the opportunity to work as a part of a team that produces our newsletter. Here you not only get the satisfaction of learning, but also of producing something tangible through a creative process.

Working with a word processing and a graphics program, our team produces a newsletter four times a year. The team also creates birthday cards, designs posters, and does some clerical work for the Society.

Our Newsletter Team is very egalitarian. There are up to four editors, and production meetings are held several times while each issue is being prepared. A member chairs each of these meetings. During these meetings, ideas are discussed, the work is organized and tasks are delegated.

With the Newsletter Team, it is also fun to participate! Once, when a member was researching a walk in the area for an article, everyone went out with him and we all took pictures with our digital camera and enjoyed the day. Also, after we put the newsletter to bed when each issue is completed, a final meeting (party) is held which turns out to be an excuse to eat pizza and have a good time.

We are rightly proud of our newsletter and it would not amount to much without the contributions of our New View Members, so please feel free to take advantage of this golden opportunity to drop off an article, story, drawing, recipe, etc. and see your name in print.

Nicole teaches classes and oversees the production of the newsletter and related projects. However, for those who are interested, there is the option to teach the classes and act as mentors to those just joining the Newsletter Team. If you are a New View Member and you are interested in participating in this group, please contact Nicole at 604-552-3111.

Take a look at some of our previous newsletters by clicking on the links below:

Social Recreation And Learning Opportunities

The Clubhouse facilitates a wide range of recreational and leisure opportunities for individuals with mental health issues within a safe and supportive environment. We believe in coming together to support each other through recovery by building social connections and assisting people to discover their unique abilities.

Some Activities at The Place include:

• Helping individuals with accessing community resources.
• Educational and self-help workshops covering a wide range of topics including personal, social and community issues.
• Specific groups include: Dual Recovery Anonymous, Weight Loss and Smoking Cessation, Metabolic Monitoring
• Education is also provided through our resource library with a selection of topics relevant to our visitors.
• A variety of leisure activities are provided each day, such as videos, enjoying a cup of coffee while reading the paper, surfing the Internet, playing board games, cribbage and pool.
• Affordable special events such as: matinee movies at SilverCity, waterslides, day trips to Victoria, miniature golf, Hells Gate, berry picking, and trips to The Vancouver Aquarium.

Other Teams Within Clubhouse

Open Arms Cafe - Kitchen Team

Maintenance Skills Team

Over 50 Club

Open Arms Cafe - Kitchen Team