Clubhouse to celebrate Yellow Day this Saturday

Clubhouse Gibraltar is hosting its annual Yellow Day event at Casemates Square this Saturday. The event aims to raise awareness of mental health as well as raise funds for Clubhouse. People are encourage to wear yellow to support the initiative.

This Saturday Casemates Square will be ‘Rocking Yellow’ with a day-long fun day event organised by Clubhouse Gibraltar.

The event will raise awareness for mental health and the work that Clubhouse does for its members.

The family friend event will include activities such as zumba, tombola, face painting and a jumping castle, and will be held between 10am to 5pm.

There will also be the ‘Rocking Yellow’ concert featuring local bands, Leo Leo and the Asteroids, Adrian Pisarello y la vasca, Layla Rose, Jesse Sampere, Panic Station, Jacver, and Tim Perera.
“It gets bigger and better every year,” said Clubhouse CEO Emily Adamberry Olivero.

She added a raffle with will be held on the day with the prizes including a motorcycle and a television.

The donations will help run Clubhouse which is open six days a week.

“We help people get into a routine if they haven’t got one, or to learn new skills needed for independent living,” Ms Adamberry Olivero said.

“This is not about illnesses; it is not diagnosis, but about getting on with life. When you have had a disruption due to mental illness or mental health problems it is difficult to find your way back and pick up the pieces from where you left off.”

“Clubhouse is a place where you can feel at home, welcome and you don’t have to pretend. It is a place where we have professionals at hand that will give you that listening ear at a time when you need it most.”

Clubhouse is gearing up to move from Wellington Front to new premises at the former Gladys Perez centre in Main Street.

“Our new premises are underway and we are getting some support from government, but we do need to kit it out and make it the type of dignified place where we can offer a good environment for people to improve their health and wellbeing,” Ms Adamberry Olivero said.

One of the aims of Clubhouse is to help people regain their self-confidence and to build a resilience they need to cope with life’s pressures.

Although Ms Adamberry Olivero thinks people are more willing to talk about mental health, the struggle still remains.

“People may be more willing to talk, but when you are the one at that end of the stick and not feeling comfortable with your mental health, the first step is very difficult for everyone,” she said.

She added that it can be “very scary” for people to admit mental health issues to friends, loved ones and medical professionals.

“People are willing [to talk], but is anybody willing to be mentally ill? Never.”

However, Ms Adamberry Olivero described the changing attitudes as “encouraging”.

“Every person is a universe in itself. Everybody gets a toothache but nobody likes it when it’s their turn.”

As part of their awareness campaign, Clubhouse will also be presenting their Annual Report at the John Mackintosh Hall on Tuesday, May 14.

The event is open to the public and will include a Mental Health Information Stall.

During this event Clubhouse will set out its targets and achievements as well as some live member testimonials.

Next week on Friday, May 17, the public are encouraged to wear yellow in aid of Clubhouse.

Members of the public wearing yellow are welcome to send photographs to Clubhouse of them supporting the day.

“Even though not everybody understands, but as long as there is a willingness to support mental health things can only get better,” Ms Adamberry Olivero said.

She encourages the public to attend and support the three events under this month’s Clubhouse campaign.

Pic by Johnny Bugeja