The Research and Development Unit of Old Fox House operates as part of the Clubhouse's Administration Unit. The R & D Unit has been operating for nearly four years and is at the forefront of Clubhouse research in the UK.
The unit started collecting very basic "In house" statistics using a DOS based relational database.It soon became obvious that the collection and reporting of attendance data was a very relevent and popular task. This function was soon taken over entirely by the membership.We now use Microsoft Access database allowing us to collect more comprehensive data, to semi automate the reporting of the results and do fairly complex analyses.
The unit also collects and reports Clubhouse statistics at a national level. These figures have charted the growth of Clubhouse membership in the UK. They have also proved useful in negotiations with Clubhouse funders, steering groups, benefit agencies etc. Members and staff from the Unit sit on the UK Clubhouse Association's Research Working Group and our auspice agency's Research Interest Group and have also presented workshops at National and European Clubhouse Conferences.
The unit undertook a National Clubhouse Member Satisfaction Questionnaire and is in the process of collating the results from the eight UK Clubhouses that took part.
The most recent on-going undertaking is a national Clubhouse research project on outcomes. We wish to research the effectiveness of the Clubhouse rehabilitation programme in comparison with other more traditional services such as: Day hospitals, sheltered workshops, activity centres. The type of outcome measures we would research would include:- quality of life, mental health, hospitalisation rates and duration of hospital stays, medication levels, employment status. We believe such research would be important because;
1. There is no current research in this area.
2. To prove or disprove the effectiveness of the Clubhouse Model.
3. To promote the Clubhouse via international academic/professional journals.
4. To aid funders/purchasers to make informed choices of which day services to provide.
5. To aid in negotiation for further funding of existing Clubhouses.
6. Increase the work and skill development opportunities for members within Old Fox House.
If you would like further information, or would like to suggest further projects, or have any comments please send us a EMail.
