Sunshine Support Group Programme

SUNSHINE SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAMME 2010

 

18 January	Artsenta Visit – Printmaking	A
25 January	Visit to Pinder’s Pond, Roxburgh	S
1 February	Garden (treasure hunt & walk from gate) am/ Making pickles, jams, etc. pm	Ex Ed
8 February	Budget Advice am/Speaker – Children’s Author pm	Ed
15 February	Trip to Butcher’s Dam –picnic and walk on Flat Top	S
22 February	Artsenta Visit – Bone carving and perspex	A
1 March	Tall Poppies ideas – artists demonstrating	A
8 March	Visit Queenstown (Happiness House and the Gardens)	S
15 March	Dietician Visit – healthy breakfasts am/Tall Poppies preparation pm	Ed A
22 March	No group – Otago Anniversary holiday
29 March	Artsenta Visit – Painting on objects e.g. wood	A
5 April	No Group – Easter Monday	Ex
12 April	Lawn bowls visit am/ Tall Poppies preparation pm	Ex  A
19 April	Old fashioned sports day Ashworth Street park/Tall Poppies pm	Ed  A
26 April	Artsenta Visit	A
3 May	Tall Poppies preparation	A & S
10 May	Visit to Clyde museum and transport sheds am/Tall Poppies prep pm	Ex A
17 May	Sing Star Day am/Tall Poppies preparation pm	S & A
24 May	Artsenta Visit -	A
31 May	Line Dancing	Ex
7 June	No Group – Queen’s Birthday holiday
14 June	Hobbies Day	S
21 June	Speaker – Dealing with Grief	Ed
28 June	Artsenta Visit -	A
5 July	Pictionary/Scrabble/Monopoly	S
12 July	Maori Art and Crafts day	Ed & A
19 July	Maori Art and crafts day continuation	Ed & A
26 July	Artsenta Visit -	A
2 August
9 August
16 August
23 August	Artsenta Visit -	A
30 August
6 September
13 September
20 September	Artsenta Visit -	A
27 September
4 October
11 October
18 October	Artsenta Visit -	A
25 October	No Group – Labour Day holiday
1 November
8 November
15 November
22 November	Artsenta Visit -	A
29 November
6 December	Trip/picnic
13 December	Christmas Meal
20 December	Artsenta Visit -	A
	A = art and craft S = social Ed = education Ex = exercise

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week

Our two main events for Mental Health Awareness Week were very successful with over 50 people participating in the walk along the Rail Trail.

Our speaker was extremely well received – she was very brave sharing her experiences with others. She had some really good suggestions for keeping well strategies – and she reinforced the idea of face the fear and do it anyway. One of the attendees did exactly that when he had to give a speech the next week. Great stuff!

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 5 – 11 October 2009

Events in Central Otago for this week Mental Health Awareness Week include: 

Monday 5 October starting at 10.00 am “Walk with Us” – a walk of approximately 8 kms along the Rail Trail (starting at Trail Journeys) from Clyde to Alexandra finishing at Central Stories.Bring along your friends and children – have good sun protection, hats and water bottles.

This walk is for mental wellbeing, to celebrate people’s differences and to fight against stigma and discrimination. 

Light refreshments and a social gathering run by Rural Otago PHO will be held at Central Stories with Dr Helen Brown as guest speaker.Join in along the trail if you are unable to cover the whole distance or even meet us at Central Stories about 12.00 ish. Further details and approximate times to join in along the trail contact Linda on 03 448 7903 or 027 248 9305.

Also on Wednesday 7 October at 7.30 pm at the SF Rooms, 28 Ashworth Street, Alexandra our guest speaker  will share her experience of mental illness and how she keeps herself well. Supper provided RSVP please on 03 4487903 or 03 448 9303. Everyone welcome.

 

Stalls will be held at Cromwell New World on Tuesday 6 October and Wanaka New Wortld on Thursday 8 October also. Look out for our banner.

 Theme for Mental Health Awareness Week: Winning Ways to Wellbeing

Connect: develop relationships

Be Active: find something active that suits you

Take Notice: be aware of the world around you and see the beauty in everyday and unusal things and reflect on this

Learn: try something new or rediscover an old interest

Give: do something for a friend or a stranger

SF Central Otago Drop in Days

Wednesdays 1pm – 3pm

Are times for discussions or sharing stories / problems and finishing work started at the Sunshine Support Group on a Monday.

Other times there may be a guest speaker or continuation of a previous workshop.

Group staff will be available for you to seek help with advocacy and ask questions or just listen so you can share a problem or an achievement.

If you wish to speak to staff in private let them know in advance so they can arrange for this to happen.

Wednesday 1.00 – 2.00pm

A small exercise group operates. If you would like to go for a walk or bike ride with some one else please let a staff member know so they can arrange it.

We have one spare bike and a helmet if you do not have your own.

Fridays 1pm – 5pm

Are times when you can work on developing skills you may need to return to the work force.

There are two computers and a printer available for you to work on your curriculum vitaes; or staff can arrange for Workbridge staff to show you how a CV is written and presented. We have examples for you to look at also.

There will be opportunities for practice of job interviews – how to present yourself and answer questions in a stressful situation – help you develop strategies for dealing with anxiety in an interview.

Fridays are also days when you can work on any study you may be undertaking – staff will be able to help you with this.

Art and craft projects can be completed using SF Central equipment on these days as well.

Who Can Attend

• People who have past or present mental health issues.
• Family members of a person who has or had a mental health issue.
• Friends, flat mates or workmates of a person who has or has had a mental health issue.

Schizophrenia Fellowship Makeover

Schizophrenia Fellowship has makeover and steps out as Supporting Families in Mental Illness

“We are pleased to announce that from today (1 July ’09), Schizophrenia Fellowship New Zealand will be known as Supporting Families in Mental Illness New Zealand (Supporting Families),” said Florence Leota, Chief Executive.

Supporting Families was established over 30 years ago and is New Zealand’s largest non governmental organization in the mental health sector that provides support to families/whanau affected by mental illness. It has 21 branches nation-wide and a national office located in Wellington.

“Our organisation is a great supporter of integrated care where the family, clinicians and service providers all work together to provide the best possible recovery plan for those experiencing a mental illness,” said Ms Leota. “We are committed to providing high quality information, education, advocacy and support for families.

“We believe that our new name shows the role we provide to families affected by all serious mental illnesses including schizophrenia, anxiety/panic disorders and bipolar,” Ms Leota said.

The Associate Minister of Health responsible for Mental Health, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, noted that one in five New Zealanders experiences a mental illness at some stage in their lives, with many more New Zealanders being directly or indirectly affected by that.

“Families/whānau can play a key role in the recovery process for someone who experiences a mental illness. The involvement of families is known to reduce the number of relapses.

“The new name highlights the focus on families. It also reflects the vital role this organization plays in the community. This is another positive step forward in enabling Supporting Families to reach out to families who need their help,” said Minister Coleman.

“It is important that families know they don’t have to face the challenges alone and work in isolation. We can help them. We encourage families to go to our website www.sfnat.org.nz where they can contact their local Supporting Families branch,” said Ms Leota.