Beating the Winter Blues
BEATING THE WINTER BLUES, ONE WARM BOWL OF SOUP AT A TIME
Winter can be a lonely season. As the temperature drops, many people find themselves spending long stretches indoors, away from the company and connection that keep us going.
To help combat these winter blues, Bellarine Community Health (BCH), in partnership with the Bellarine Community Support Register (BCSR) and Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine (CHoB), recently brought their volunteers together for a heart-warming ‘Winter Warmer’ event.
The gathering is the latest in an ongoing series of collaborations between the three organisations, all designed to connect their separate volunteer communities and remind everyone that they’re not alone.
“The idea was to bring our volunteers together over a warm bowl of soup for a chat, and to include a workshop around mental health and wellbeing and living well,” said BCH Volunteer Coordinator Sandra Murphy.
The afternoon featured a presentation from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, focused on simple habits that support better mental health, along with open discussions about the importance of connection and what “home” means to each person.
“There were some very raw and honest discussions, but everyone was really enthusiastic in their participation,” Ms Murphy said.
The event’s comforting homemade soups were made possible thanks to the generous support of Food Assist 3223, who also donated a selection of goods for volunteers to take home. Bakers Delight Ocean Grove kindly contributed baked treats, while the talented members of Shedding the Blues provided entertainment.
This event is part of a broader, growing partnership between BCH, BCSR and CHoB, which has already delivered several joint initiatives for volunteers, including wellness days and training sessions covering first aid and mental health basics.
As the colder months continue, these organisations are a timely reminder that connection is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to look after ourselves and each other.
Get involved
Want to make a difference in your community this winter? Find out more about these organisations and how you can volunteer by visiting their websites:
Bellarine Community Health: www.bch.org.au
Bellarine Community Support Register: www.bellarineregister.com.au
Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine: www.chob.org.au
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