Community Term Blog

Certitude

The purpose of Certitude is a non profit organisation that aims to provide personalised support for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism. Since 1990 they have beeen developing their expertise, working with individuals, families and communities across London.

Certitudes mission statement:

"Certitude’s person-centred approach is creating a future where people with learning disabilities and mental health needs have the same opportunities and rights to a good life as everyone else.  This means being valued as equals and being in control. Ultimately, this is what all of us want."

Certitude aims to create equal opportunity for everyone no matter what their situation, allowing people from all backgrounds to achieve whatever they want even if they may be at a disadvantage, due to various health issues, is no reason to disallow or exclude them from what most of society is able to participate in. I believe that this is so important because as a capital London is full of incredible opportunity and making it available to a wider portion of our capital is so important and vital in creating a thriving and happy community. 

My response to Certitudes mission statement is that I think that being in control of what you want to pursue as an individual is so important for everyone that it is refreshing to hear of a charity that aims to help individuals, communities and families get what they want out of life no matter what there situation or background. 

"We encourage people to find new interests, make new friends, get out and about and have fun. For carers and families, we offer respite care and short breaks. We also work closely with local authorities, communities and others involved in delivering support."

In a society so heavily coated in greed and selfishness, this charity aims to rekindle a desire for people to activate the sweetest things in life, such as friendship, interests and fun. Things that bring happiness into peoples lives, Certitude has the best intentions for those they work with. As community is such a big part of what Certitude believes in and works with it makes the charity all the better as it encourages friendship between neighbours and allows the room to befriend people within their working. 

The client group of this company is those with mental health needs, disabilities and autism. As only "25% of people with mental health" needs actually get help, which is a shoking number, Certitude is even more relevant than ever as it allows such a wide base of people suffering to get the help that they need. 

"Cut a Rug: Club Nights"

"People we support have often told us that they find it difficult to meet new people or start new friendships and relationships; they told us that they wanted somewhere to go out and make friends and, potentially, meet someone special. We listened, and now they help us deliver it."

People reached out to Certitude to provide a place to help them meet new people and kindle new relationships, and possibly help find someone special, they listened and now deliver it with their "club nights"

Certitude Choir

Certitude are incredibly proud of their two community choirs, one in Brixton "The Brixton Harmonies" and the other in Ealing "The Inclusions". This is a free opportunity to sing and make friends within an environment as well as gaining new skills. The vast array of people taking part such as people they support, parents and carers, as well as locals with no original connection to Certitude. The strength of this means that Certitude can bridge the gap between peple they help the carers and locals knitting together various sections of society and enabling many people to get involved in the art of singing and making friends. This is such a benefit to btoh communities and means that people that arent usually exposed to the arts have an ability to get involved with it, as well as people with an exposure to the arts which help them get involved. The locations are both on opposite sides of London and therefore make it available to many people to get involved. As well as allowing them to have the opportunity to perform at prestigious events; headlining National Award ceremonies and festivals on the South Bank in London. Giving immense opportunity to all those who have participated and following through with their main goal to give everyone the ability to a great life, full of exciting experiences.  The strength of having such an accesible activity such as singing is amazing as it means that everyone is able to take part no matter what background and learn qually and sing as a group, encouraging and boosting group morale without excluding anyone. 

Certitude covers such a wide range of tasks to help people out such as offering apprenticeship training and jobs to help people get on their feet and get a kickstart to life as well as extra curricular fun and games to help form close knit groups of people in diverse personal situations to share incredible opportunities that arent usually available to them, and finding housing for people in tough situations.

Certitude runs off of donations as well as volunteering to run the charity that helps Londoners and stretches as far as other counties also. Members of Certitude Fundraise also, they grow their beards to raise money for Sensory gardens, such as John Keaveny has done, they also run half marathons and many other activites to help gain the money they need to run this widely growing charity. 

The organisation develops its audience through its vastly stretching work with different parts of London and performances that expose different areas of London to the work of Certitude. Working with schools and performing with locals helps spread Certitudes impressive deeds through the word of mouth as well as their easily accesible web page that gives a voice to its members and people that they support. 

Football

"Every other Thursday at 6pm, a group of staff and the people we support get together for a kickabout at Streatham Leisure Centre."

The opportunity to exercise and make friends as well as develop a skill so wodely loved in England offers opportunity to those who would like to stretch themselves out of the arts and into sport, but reap the benefits of this activity. This fulfills the companies aims, as it gives everyone the opportunity to build friendships and get fit, something that many people may take for granted, it unites the company as such a huge amount of people are able to participate and also gives people something to particpate in. 

A role within this company may be the administritave side, such as organising all of the activities and arranging with various parts of the community to collaborate. This requires organisation skills, perservirance and punctuality. Organising the 700 people that work for Certirude is no easy feat and keeping track of all the amazing work that they aim to particpate in as well as keeping everyone safe is tricky due to how widespread the oragnisation is. 

Artistic minds and Music enthusiasts are required for their Community choirs, in Brixton and Ealing. Making tea, locking up and being friendly and enthusiastic to work with such a widespread group of people, also travel buddying to help transport choir members to gigs in order to particpate in an activity that they love. 

Certitude requires people with an open mind, and a friendly face. The ability to be patient and work for the greater good of everyone in the community with the sole purpose of increasing everyones quality of life. Giving is such an important role that Certitude requires; whether that be time or talent everyone has the ability to help and give their talent to such an important and relevant organisation. 

Bibliography:

http://www.certitude.org.uk/about/

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jun/18/mental-illness-people-help