How Pillar Works for Members

Recovery Philosophy - The philosophy underlying Pillar is committed to Personal Recovery. Based in the belief that people will achieve their own personal recovery. It is a holistic and inclusive approach that considers all elements of a person's quality of life. It recognizes that the extent to which someone enjoys good health and well being is influenced by a very wide range of social, environmental and individual factors and is about much more than just the management of symptoms. For individuals recovering from a mental illness or coping with a stressful situation, social contact and involvement with others is a key element in promoting health. It can help people to feel more positive about themselves in that they experience being valued and liked and having something to offer others. It is seen as enabling people to make full use of their abilities and potential skills further enabling and developing opportunity in mainstream living.
 
 
Acceptance - Pillar’s fundamental values are to provide a safe, caring environment for Pillar members. We want members to feel welcome, accepted and valued as unique individuals with strengths and skills. Members use the service voluntarily and can choose how often they want to attend and which groups they want to be involved in. At the drop-in sessions the workers strive to provide an atmosphere where members can spend time with each other and chat with other members and staff. Members may also choose to sit quietly reading the paper and have a cup of tea, or they may wish to play any of the large selection of games available.
 
For some members, coming to Pillar may be the only chance they have of seeing a friendly face and having someone notice how they are. It is therefore very important that members receive a warm welcome and the chance to talk to staff if they have any concerns or difficulties. Members also play a crucial role in making other members feel welcome and included.   Some members may use Pillar as a means of socializing and getting away from problems and staff and members will help people make the most of this.
 
Empowerment - Members are encouraged to do as much as possible to meet their own needs. Workers can help where appropriate and approach work with members on the basis that they can gradually encourage members to take on more responsibility. In this way members are supported to develop new skills, and become more confident and self-reliant. This requires an assessment of need to ensure that the support is pitched at the right level. 
 
Groups - Over the last few years groups have played an increasing role at Pillar. Members have made requests for groups over the years and Pillar has developed many  long term groups to meet this need as well as several short term groups. Group facilitation requires a range of skills and knowledge to provide a climate in which members can feel safe and supported. A key issue in Pillar self-help groups is the need to encourage members to speak about issues and to listen to others in a supportive way. In this model the facilitator does not present as the ‘expert’ and individuals are acknowledged as having expertise in their own situation. 
 
Confidentiality - Pillar workers will not disclose any information about you to people outwith the organisation without your permission, unless there are serious concerns about your health or safety. Pillar will not automatically act as a monitoring service for any other agency without appropriate discussion with all relevant parties. Pillar recognises a duty of care takes priority. To protect your privacy, Pillar workers, volunteers, or students will not acknowledge you outside the Pillar setting, unless you acknowledge them first. Any information given to Pillar workers, volunteers or students is confidential to us as an agency, not to us as individuals.
 
Kathryn Gauld
Manager