The clubhouse movement began in New York in 1944. A small group of patients were being discharged from a large state phsychiatric hospital and they wanted to stay in touch. Their initial idea was simply to meet together for social activities and mutual support. As they began to actively reach out to other patients on discharge that found that increasing numbers made it difficult to meet in public places such as cafes and libraries.

The group initially called itself W.A.N.A. which means We Are Not Alone, in 1948 they secured funding for a building and one member of staff and so they were able to formalise their casual meetings. W.A.N.A. continued to be a support group  until 1958 when they hired John Beard as their Executive Director. The innovative young social worker had been pioneering new approaches to inpatient care in mental hospitals, and had a passionate belief that sufferers from long-term mental illness were intitled to meaningful work, meaningful activity, respect and dignity. He believed that they could return to mainstream society and more importantly, full-time employment with the aid of suitable support. John Beard canvassed the members and designed the Clubhouse as we know it today.

     All Clubhouse members have:

• A guaranteed right to a place to come.
• A guaranteed right to meaningful work.
• A guaranteed right to meaningful relationships.
• A guaranteed right to a place to return.