20TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLOURISH HOUSE

That this House congratulates Glasgow-based mental health charity Flourish House from the Woodlands area of Glasgow on its 20th anniversary, which it celebrated with a birthday party on 16 September 2017 as part of the Glasgow Doors Open Festival; notes Flourish House enables members with mental health conditions to regain confidence and skills whilst also developing social, financial and vocational capabilities through participation in a work-ordered day in which they can work to achieve goals related to education, training and employment; commends the charity on its focus on a positive social model of mental health which concentrates on members' strengths, talents and abilities and provides opportunities to share skills through teamwork, partnerships and peer support; further notes that Flourish House, which remains the only independent clubhouse in Scotland, with a membership of over 1400, started life as an office in Dixon Street in Glasgow's Merchant City under the auspices of the Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH) before moving to its current building at 23-25 Ashley Street in 1998 after which, in 2001, Flourish House has become independent from GAMH, a limited company, and registered charity; is grateful to all the staff and volunteers who work hard to provide a restorative environment for people whose lives have been severely disrupted by mental illness; and wishes everyone at Flourish House every success over the coming years as it continues to support those with mental illness in the community.