What an amazing time Stepping Stone Clubhouse has had this year! 

We have seen many dreams starting to be realised – including commencement of the development of the Northside Clubhouse, which has been on the wish list for over a decade! Stepping Stone Clubhouse is a welcoming and supportive place due to the wonderful staff and members – always working together to improve the Clubhouse, encourage more members and to make everyone that visits welcome. 

From a financial perspective, this year has been one of growth following the consolidation of previous years seeing an increase in income of 23%. This increase has been mainly attributed to an increase in NDIS Service income (44%) which has happened through a significant focus on developing this area through leadership, staff and policies. There has also been a significant increase in interest income (98%), due to strong policies and practices in financial management. 

This year has seen a significant investment of time into planning and proposals for activities that will not be commencing until next financial year but reflect the reputation and strength of Stepping Stone Clubhouse,
its staff and members.  Overall Stepping Stone Clubhouse ends the year in a good financial position, and ready for the growth expected in 2024. 

I want to thank my fellow Management Committee members for their dedication and focus, working collaboratively with the staff and members to ensure Stepping Stone Clubhouse continues to be a safe, welcoming and engaging environment. 

I am looking forward to seeing what the next year brings, and continuing to work with all the dedicated people involved in making Stepping Stone Clubhouse the amazing place it is! 

Jessica Watkinson

Stepping Stone loves cake!  

We eat cake several times a week for members’ birthdays or celebrating employment/education achievements. We eat cake to celebrate staff birthdays and work anniversaries.  We eat cake when students complete placements, or when Clubhouse training colleagues complete Clubhouse training.

Our staff and members all know that a great cake comes downs to the ingredients.  At Stepping Stone, during our International Clubhouse training, we like to discuss the necessary ingredients, not to make cake, but to make a great Clubhouse. This year, it feels like we had all the necessary ingredients in the mixer to bake the perfect cake.  So, what are the ingredients to make a great Clubhouse?

Clubhouse Model 

A commitment to the Clubhouse model is the primary requirement for a great Clubhouse and since 1994 Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. has had this commitment.  This year our Clubhouse grew stronger, with the reinstatement of the Employment and Education Unit. This allowed better co-ordination and more member involvement in our Employment and Education program.  

Funding & Evaluation 

Clubhouses need secure and diverse funding.  Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. is funded by Q Health, Brisbane South PHN and NDIS.  Q Health funding increased by 46% and NDIS increase by 44% this year.  We also secured grants throughut year from Brisbane City Council and BSPHN to strengthen our Healthy Active Lifestyle Program.   

We know that Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. improves or even saves members’ lives. With the support of Q Health funding, our Evaluation Project aims to showcase our impact. During the past year, we conducted two data collection phases and data collection during the orientation process.  

Community 

While Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. is a self-contained community, our aspiration to be an exceptional Clubhouse hinges on our integration with the broader community. We are an integral part of various communities, such as the Mental Health sector and the general public. Our purpose is to create pathways to better mental health.  To accomplish this, we create connections from the Clubhouse to the wider community. One significant avenue is our Transitional Employment program and our partnerships with various employers, including Queensland Treasury Corporation, Queensland Health – Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland Health – Royal Brisbane Hospital, Containers for Change, and Stride. We extend our sincere appreciation to these employers for providing members this valuable opportunity.

We also engage with the community through various events, and this year our major event was the Ben O’Donoghue fundraising dinner. More than 120 individuals enjoyed cuisine prepared by Ben and a dedicated team of Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. members and staff. The addition of a silent auction during the evening made this our most successful fundraising event thus far. 

Management Committee, Staff and Members 

The icing on the cake is the people – the Management Committee, staff and members. Our Management Committee consist of talented, passionate, knowledgeable people who volunteer their time and skills to oversee the governance of Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc.  We thank-you for the endless hours you devote to Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. and appreciate all that you achieve.  Special thanks to our President Jess Watkinson and Treasurer, Ross Morgan, who have personally supported me this year.  

The operation of the Clubhouse is a collaborative effort between our dedicated staff and our members.  Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. staff are committed, passionate, funny and just some of the best human beings you will ever meet.  They exude enthusiasm, tirelessly working with members, helping them realise their aspirations.

Last but certainly not least, Stepping Stone members. Every member who enters our premises brings with them a unique background and a set of aspirations for their future. We are privileged to play a small part in witnessing members thrive and accomplish incredible feats. As I embark on my 27th year with Stepping Stone, it is the members who continue to motivate me to step through the Clubhouse doors each day.  

Northside Clubhouse 

While Stepping Stone has been busy baking our finest cake to date, we’ve also been collecting the ingredients for a second cake - Stepping Stone North. Establishing a Northside Clubhouse has been our dream for more than a decade. 20% of Stepping Stone’s membership live in northern suburbs, however, the distance to Coorparoo has posed a significant barrier. This year, thanks to the commitment of Q Health and additional financial support from the Management Committee, we commenced developing the Northside Clubhouse. We secured a location in Chermside, nestled in the parklands of 7th Brigade Park, through the Brisbane City Council Community Facilities program. Our objective is to have the Northside Clubhouse up and running by January 2024. 

Please enjoy our Annual Report, showcasing some of our highlights and celebrate with us all that we have achieved this year. 

Melanie Sennett

In the words of our staff and members, the following highlights key achievements made towards our Strategic Goals in the 2022-23 financial year:

1. Improved Individual Health Outcomes by Providing Innovative,
Evidence-Based Services

Employment and Education

The E&E unit was re-established in February 2023, after relocating from EECAT (Employment, Education, Clerical and Training).

We started small with basic tasks such as outreach to promote our unit and gained more momentum as new tasks and responsibilities were brought to us.

As we grew as a unit, we bought new equipment such as laptops, chairs and tables with a grant from Brisbane City Council.  The laptops gave us the opportunity to expand our educational and employment resources by allowing us the flexibility to be mobile.

Since re-establishing the unit, we have developed a variety of new Transitional Employment positions. Ibis Hotel was the first new TE position we introduced. Although Ibis have restructured and decided to put the TE positions on hold, the members involved were able to build confidence and capacity. Also, one of our members gained permanent employment after the TE, and this was a great reminder for us that there is no failure, maybe only an opportunity for growth.

We have a long-standing relationship with the Princess Alexander Hospital, and when they could no longer facilitate one of our long term TE’s they quickly replaced it with other roles.  We have members about to start a high touch cleaning role and a sanitising cleaning role.

Employment Unit 

Community Engagement

This year we have interacted with a wide variety of community organisations and businesses. We visited services who support people with housing, addictions and mental health needs. We have regularly attended Inter-Agency meetings throughout the year.

We have hosted round-table discussions relating to Mental Health and Employment and Study with Brisbane City Council and TAFE Queensland. We successfully used Christmas in July as an avenue to bring a whole range of organisations into Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. including a representative from the Windsor Group with whom we are discussing potential TE opportunities.

Amanda and Gail

Rotary Stones Corner

A partnership that has lasted over 20 years, the wonderful crew at Stones Corner Rotary knew no bounds with their generosity. Sadly, their Rotary closed this year, not before their parting gift of a brand-new oven for our kitchen. We know the friendship will continue through their regular visits and company at our Christmas in July events. Our Hospitality team are so grateful for the new oven, every meal is cooked to perfection now thanks to them. One member said of the new oven “Our new oven has the same space as a family van and allows us to make some of the best food in the Coorparoo area, we love you Stones Corner Rotary!”

Hospitality unit

Camping – Tallebudgera and Bestbrook

This year we had two amazing camps – Tallebudgera and Bestbrook. We sat around campfires, rode horses, fed the animals, broke bread together. The fresh farm air and great company rejuvenated us and we formed close bonds that last ongoing, and we are counting down until the next one.

“I had an amazing time at Bestbrook Camp this year! Wonderful time with the Bestbrook Camp crew” Beatriz
“The camp was a great success and seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. I’m so grateful for everyone’s company was a really great time” Bill
“Best time I have had in years” Zac N

RAM unit

2. Enable a Safe, Inclusive and Respectful Environment that Supports Connection and Well-Being

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

This year, Stepping Stone Clubhouse Inc. formed a Reconciliation Working Group made up of staff and members.  The group is working to develop a ‘Reconciliation Action Plan’ (RAP) for Stepping Stone demonstrating our strong commitment to meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.  The RAP will acknowledge historical injustices and aims to address disparities through respectful engagement, employment opportunities, and procurement from Indigenous business.  It will work to foster cultural understanding, inclusion and collaboration.

Reconciliation Working Group

3. Measure our Impact and Increase Awareness of Mental Health

EHC Evaluation 

Stepping Stone, in partnership with Enable Health Consulting, is in the final stages of conducting an evaluation of our organisation and its programs. The evaluation aims to measure our effectiveness in assisting our members on their path to mental health and well-being, while identifying opportunities for Stepping Stone’s continual improvement. The 12-month data collection period concluded in August 2023; we anticipate releasing the results of our evaluation in early 2024. The inception of this evaluation dates back to 2021, and its near completion would not have been possible without the support of Qld Health, Qld Mental Health Commission, our Stepping Stone community, and Enable Health Consulting. 

Dan and Lesley

Ben O’Donoghue Event

Our major fundraising event of the year was a smashing success, thanks to Ben, and the generous donations of our supporters and the amazing efforts of our staff and members. We had a bar that was mostly donated, door prizes that delighted the lucky winners, and a testimonial from Lesley that moved everyone in the room. 

We also had the opportunity to connect with people from outside our Clubhouse community through our stakeholders, who helped us spread the word about our mission and vision. Everyone enjoyed a fine dining experience with Harley and Jaimi as our charming hosts. 

The event was both a financial and networking success for Stepping Stone Clubhouse and our stakeholders, and we are grateful for everyone who participated. The next day, our clubhouse community had the luxury of indulging in restaurant quality food that was left over from the event. It was a treat for all of us!

Tony, Gav & Dion

City Beach/Markets

The City Beach BBQs are a community engagement staple for members and staff of Stepping Stone. It’s always an awesome, fun day slinging snags and onions for the hard working people at the City Beach Distribution Center. Good music, great company and even better vibes, we are always keen to start talking about the next one!

Conor and Robert

4. Strengthen Sustainability and Quality of our Systems and Practice

Clubhouse Training

Stepping Stone Coorparoo is one of 12 international training Clubhouse. We offer 2-week comprehensive colleague training for all our clubhouses worldwide. In the past year, we have trained three clubhouses from Norway and Diamond House from Adelaide!

In November 2022, members and staff from Fontenehuset Ålesund and Fontenehuset Oslo Øst arrived in Brisbane to participate. During their stay, the clubhouses experienced working in our different units, visited two Transitional Employment (TE) sites and, discussed the clubhouse model in regular workshops with members and staff from Stepping Stone. Our colleagues also took part in our social recreational activities on the weekends, seeing koalas and kangaroos at Currumbin Wildlife Park, and were subjects in our own Vegemite Taste testing!

Fontenehuset Ålesund developed an action plan focused on improving their Work Order Day, clubhouse space, and their Transitional Employment program. Fontenehuset Oslo Øst focused on goals developing more TE positions and employment and education support in the Clubhouse. They walked away with useful information for approaching employers and examples of TE handbooks for members. 

Jon Michael, a member from Oslo Øst was asked what was the most enjoyable part of training:

“For me it is hard to pick out one useful part. The combination and balance of discussions, work order day, getting to know staff and members, TE visits, learning from their perspectives and how your house is running. The social recs and that it was optional.”

We were lucky enough to have our sister Clubhouse from Adelaide, Diamond House, come for training in August. It was a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship, and assist them in creating an action plan for their Clubhouse to implement in their fancy new Clubhouse House! Kaye, Kim and Danielle were pure diamonds and hope we will see more of them.

Lucy and Lesley

All Press Coffee Donation

In January this year, AllPress Coffee Roasters made an extraordinary commitment to supplying our clubhouse with high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans whenever we run out. We are endlessly appreciative of AllPress and their ever-so-generous dona tion of caffeine and go-go-juice keeping our little clubhouse working hard!

Hospitality unit

Little Genovesé Donation

Last year, the local heroes at Little Genovese donated to our clubhouse a fully serviced high-quality espresso machine when our previous one had called it quits. Ever since, these guys have consistently been supporters of Stepping Stone and its community members, we regularly visit them for Friday morning coffees. We are forever indebted to you, Lil Gen <3

Hospitality unit

Healthy Active Lifestyle Program (HALP)

Stepping Stone’s Healthy Active Lifestyle Program (HALP) provides an enjoyable way for our members to engage in physical activity at their own pace. We’ve continued to offer daily lunchtime walks, meditation and sport sessions, to the enjoyment of both members and staff who get involved.

Member Sammy G is a regular at lunchtime sport, often impressing us with his park ping-pong skills. “It gets you motivated both physically and mentally. Good time to engage with both members and staff.”

Twice a week, even throughout winter, the regular Stepping Stone crew are still heading to the pool at lunchtime.

Through grants received by Brisbane City Council and Brisbane South Primary Health Network we were able to expand our activites this year.  In partnership with local gym Helfi and yoga studio Mukti Yoga has allowed members and staff to participate in weekly gym and yoga sessions lead by professional trainers. 

Member Jared S regularly attends Stepping Stone’s weekly gym sessions and afternoon walks. “Our environment is welcoming and free from overcrowding, making it an ideal place for getting back into a social setting. Our knowledgeable staff is always on hand to assist members on providing friendly support. We’re committed to helping you achieve your fitness and wellness goals while enjoying your journey with us.”

We know there is a strong link between mental and physical wellbeing. We encourage our members to focus on a healthy lifestyle which includes opportunities for fitness, healthy eating, mindfulness, and most importantly, fun.

CAT unit

View our audited financial statements (PDF)

Our supporters