OUR LITTLE 'OASIS' IN HEIDELBERG  WEST

(A story about friendship-led recovery in a sometimes all too uncaring world.)

by Allan Pinches, Consumer Consultant for Mental  Health

A small group of a people whose lives have been affected by mental illness have found something of an “oasis” at a church hall in Heidelberg West.

A weekly drop-in session at 1 pm – 3.45 pm Wednesdays, is a key activity of the hope springs community at Heidelberg West Uniting Church, and has brought friendship, comfort, hope, and personal healing, to members of the group.  These are qualities they often find somewhat lacking in the wider community.

The group is growing in numbers, and what started with just a few, now attracts as many as 26 people. Many of the participants are in poor circumstances, and may have stresses related to housing, support services, nutrition or medical treatment.
 
Mental health consumer and some service advocates say that many older clients  in recent years have tended to have been hived off from some mainstream mental health and psychiatric disability support services – with Drop-In type services falling into disfavour in recent years with manyorganisations.

At the same time services are re-directing more resources towards a growing population of young people needing treatment and care for mental health related issues, often including dual diagnosis (mental illness combined with drug and alcohol issues.) It can be argued that both of these groups equally need and are entitled to a range of appropriate services.
 
The drop-in is conducted by hope springs, a local mental health ministry affiliated with Kildonan Uniting Care. The co-ordinators, Rev Peter Sanders and Dana Robson-Garth lead a small number of willing volunteers, who very much place themselves in the midst of the participants as a friendly and listening presence, rather than claiming authority or being directive about activities or things like "group dynamics."
 
For the participants it is easy to share in an atmosphere of warmth and friendship, and a sense that this is “our place.” Together there is strength. Wednesday, for us, is a special day, and something to look forward to, punctuating the week.
 
To a large extent how the participants use the facilities is self-determined, and many people like to have simply the chance to come along, have a coffee and a chat about anything -- from the news, social issues, spirituality, or sports, or what’s been on TV, or anything. People also can compare notes about ways of somehow getting heard by the limited local services. Sometimes a guitar will be brought out for some shared musical fun.
 
The hope springs drop-in at Heidelberg West takes place with shoestring funding and relies heavily on the mutual co-operation of volunteers and participants together to make it work. One might even say that this wonderful example of community development is run on the smell of a home-brand coffee tin and some assorted biscuits.
 
I have been involved with hope springs for several years – mainly a participant, but occasionally as a volunteer with various projects, when I thought I had something particular to contribute.
 
The Heidelberg West Uniting Church has some picturesque qualities that seem to compliment the “oasis” theme I have brought forward here.  In the front yard of the church there is a lovely palm tree and some foliage to match. (See picture.)
 
This special “oasis” is a place where people whose lives can become a place of increased fulfilment. One place where opportunities can emerge, to assist in bringing about changes whereby the sadness, loneliness and stigma of mental illness can to some degree be replaced by self-acceptance, sharing and friendship.
   

For further information about hope springs:

Tel: 9459 8859