HMAS Sunshine

26/06/2023

A reminder that the Shed Program will remain OPEN during the school holidays (24/6 - 9/7).
Hope to see you soon! Fiona

07/06/2023

We had so much fun bowling today that we're thinking of starting our own league! No seriously.... 😉🎳🏆 HUGE thanks to Reclink Australia for their generous support 👏❤️

30/04/2023

WE'RE TAKING A (SHORT) BREAK!
Re-opening dates:
Men's Shed - Wed 17th May
Women's Shed - Thu 18th May

See you soon! Fiona

30/04/2023

This Easter we've been cooking, crafting and cleaning! Oh, and another "c" - chatting. Lots and lots of chatting ☺️

01/02/2023

So, what happens at the Brimbank Sheds? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Cooking, sharing, exploring, learning, creating, supporting and most importantly, being a community.

The Men's Shed no longer has a "tool time" program, but has become a welcoming place for local men - of all abilities - to gather. We've also held workshops and cooking demonstrations, held a circus workshop, gone to the movies, gone swimming, and visited Scienceworks. We're hoping for more outings in 2023.

The Women's Shed has turned into quite the creative space where stories are told and crafts and skills are learned and shared. We've dabbled in silk eco-dying, crochet, card making, diamond art, pampering and a whole lot more! But more importantly, we have become an incredibly supportive and welcoming space for women to grow and shine! It's been wonderful to witness strong friendships grow.

If you think you, or someone you know, might enjoy our shed programs, drop in sometime (no cost, obligation free), or call Fiona on 0408 987 174

Men's Shed: Wednesdays 10am - 1:30 pm
Women's Shed: Thursdays 10am - 1:30 pm

24/01/2023

The'll be no Women's Shed this Thursday 26th of Jan due to the Australia Day public holiday, but...

BOTH SHEDS WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW INSTEAD!

From 10 am!

Hope to see you there 🌻

24/01/2023

This page is being re-booted for 2023!
You'll find all the Brimbank Men's and Women's Shed news right here!

10/11/2021

16/06/2021

It was with shock and deep sadness that we learnt of the passing of long-time Men's Shed participant, and friend to many at Uniting, Rob. Our sincere condolences go out to all of Rob's family and friends.

Rob will be deeply missed at Uniting Sunshine and Brimbank Men's Shed, and next week will be tough as we find the words and ways to honour Rob's memory and the important role he played in the life of the Shed.

Anyone who wants to chat before we meet next Wednesday please call Fiona on 0408 987 174.

RIP Rob, we miss you.

❤️

25/05/2021

MEN'S SHED WILL BE OPEN TODAY

COVID restrictions apply - see below

19/05/2021

Poifect weather, tai chi, gorgeous food, excellent company - yeah, I'd say the Men's Shed BBQ & cooking demo went well today!

14/05/2021

The Women's Shed gets super creative for mother's day! This was heaps of fun - food, laughter, singing and buckets of chat 😊

10/08/2020

22/06/2020

Another one from The Mighty. It's so important to listen, really listen, to people who live with anxiety, and learn from their experiences.

To my friends of faith, do note number 2. And to those who work in communities where people may often experience anxiety, note number 15: "Just breathe" or even "have you tried breathing?" (I've heard both these said often) however well intentioned, can also be hurtful.

https://themighty.com/video/harmless-comments-that-hurt-people-with-anxiety/

Living with anxiety, there are many seemingly “harmless” but hurtful things people often say. It’s important to remember what may seem “harmless” to one person may actually be hurtful to another.

22/06/2020

"As a teenager, I remember wondering if I was different from other people.

While other people got sad, I became despairing. I stayed in bed all day. When other people became angry, I became enraged. When other people were energetic, I was out of control. I stayed up all night for days.

Like some people with these symptoms in their youth, I was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was like a light came on! I felt so silly… how did I miss this? It seemed so obvious!

Some of you, like me, may have felt like you missed the signs. Don’t beat yourself up.

You weren’t alone then and you aren’t alone now.

We were likely confused and overwhelmed when we were young. We needed care and support above all things and some of us may or may not have gotten it. Now we have the power to advocate and get care for ourselves! We are no longer in the dark." ~ Mindy M, The Mighty

If Mindy's words resonate with you, you may like this featured article from The Mighty.

Love x

https://themighty.com/2018/08/childhood-adolescent-signs-bipolar-disorder/

“Everyone else thought something was ‘wrong’ with me..."

16/06/2020

Just a little something to ponder....

21/05/2020

It's been great to be back at the hospital again.

Today I met "Ms J" in the Sunshine Adult Acute Psychiatric Unit (SAAPU) and after a bit of a chat and a laugh she said: "most people can't wait to get out of here, but I don't think I'm ready..." She talked about the need to have strategies, the fear of falling back into old habits, and of not having enough support.

When we talked about the strategies that had worked for her during her time in the ward, she talked a bit about mindfulness practices and "self kindness", but she didn't feel like she was doing that stuff very well. (Her inner judge didn't give her much slack).

But it was her deeply felt gratitude for the advice and tips from other patients with real, relatable lived experience that struck me the most. A rubber band and a note on the wall had resonated with her deeply.

Here's a picture of the note (the rubber band needs a lot more explaining than a FB post allows) - it's a simple mantra, and not much of a strategy, but it reminded me of the power of being surrounded by messages from those with lived experience - people who have travelled the roads you are travelling down, and survived. I wonder whether this is what Ms J will miss the most "out there".

So may this mantra be a gift from Ms J to those who walk those same roads - simple, real wisdom from someone who knows so much more about this stuff than me!

13/05/2020

This article really hits all my feels today.

Statistically, people living with chronic illness, health conditions and disability are more likely to experience poor mental health and/or depression. Add to this an underlying message that keeps persisting, sometimes less subtly than others, as part of our Covid-19 commentary:

"Don't worry, only old people or people with underlying health conditions die from this".

We need to resist this. Obviously right, because it's cruel and just awful! And it says to people living with health conditions and disability, as well as the elderly, that their lives are not as valuable, or precious, or sacred as the lives of "healthy" people.

And that's a lie that we need to call out.

I understand that there's reassurance and relief in hearing that you're statistically less likely to die (right?!), but also hear in this a call to care for, and love those people living in "high risk" groups - in buckets!! Make sure that they hear, loud and clear, that their lives matter - that they matter.

Time to ramp up the love, care and compassion peeps. Fi x

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/12/rory-kinnearsister-protect-vulnerable-coronavirus-rory-kinnear

I hope our focus in future is the easing of lives such as Karina’s, says actor Rory Kinnear