ABSTRACT
Research demonstrates that problems experienced by people suffering from mental health problems, such as social isolation, finding constructive ways of spending the day, loss of status, and the lack of a sense of belonging and importance, may usefully be addressed by involvement in workrelated activity (Pilling 1991; Di Mascio and Crosetto 1994; Sheid and Anderson 1995; Mitchell 1998). Service users in BCG endorse the importance of work experience and opportunities for education and training which the volunteer scheme provides. It is seen as a way of working towards personal goals, whether or not these are directly connected with the gym, or as a ‘stepping stone’ towards other possibilities. Volunteers explained, for example:
It’s really changed my life, given me the chance to do something I want to do. Without this place I couldn’t do that.
