Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
The Cathja provides a welcoming space that provides the opportunity for people to engage in being creative. The resources are geared to using wood in all its forms and there is a range of tools and machinery to use. Sculpture also forms a big part of the activity so there is a chance to use different materials too. On Cathja anything is possible! There is absolutely no need for any practical experience or already discovered artistic talent. Some remarkable projects have been undertaken by people that had never made anything before.
Everyone who uses Cathja has experienced mental health problems – usually over a long period of time. There are no assessments or reviews, but there is a huge amount of wisdom within the Cathja user and staff group which has proved to be a source of support and understanding to all.
In 1996, Friends of Cathja was set up to provide a space of people experiencing mental health issues, and allow them to use different materials to create a variety of pieces.
By 2006, Friends of Cathja had become well established within the community, and people from the London Borough of Hounslow, and the surrounding areas, had learnt about the service and the benefits it could provide for them.
In 2018, Co – Op donated a generous amount of money to the charity to support its work, which allowed Cathja to invest in new equipment and keep the service going. There was also a Christmas party for Cathja members which was held at the charity shop located in Brentford High Street.
In 2019, The charity shop in Brentford High Street sadly closed to make way for new development, however a new shop was opened not long after near Isleworth Station. The London Borough of Hounslow funded 8 sewing sessions that took place on the Cathja barge, which were all throughly enjoyed by the service users.
In 2020, with the impact of Coronavirus, the Cathja barge was forced to close, and the services it provided was moved to online. The barge reopened in July of that year, and services resumed in person for five days a week.
The MP for Hounslow, Ruth Cadbury completed the full Thames Meander marathon from Kingston to Barn Elms and back in order to raise funds. Her two chosen charities were Macmillan and Friends of Cathja, both of these charities were very grateful to receive the donation.
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Story: Ann Bowden - West London
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Story: Rin Roach - West London
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Story: Carl Kirby Turner - West London