Volunteer Hair Salon At Mount Martha Rooming House

Linking Art

Residents of the Mount Martha Rooming House were involved in a project using art to link images of the community with their own stories.

Over a ten week period artist Amanda Forster attended the Rooming House and assisted tenants to turn their ideas into two mosaic murals. The Launch was held on 16 November 2015 Now the murals are finished they have become a permanent fixture in the garden at the Mount Martha Rooming House. See article posted by Arts on the Peninsula at the following link: http://artsonthepeninsula.com/2015/11/19/creativity-healing-lives-on-the-mornington-peninsula/ This project was made possible with funding support from Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Creative Community Grants program. Using the themes, colours and stories associated with the mosaic panels, tenants planned and developed a garden that beautifully compliments the panels.

Brighton Lodge Community Lunch

On 16 September 2015, Brighton residents met and talked with local services in the area over a free catered lunch. There were representatives from Bentleigh Bayside Community Health, Moongala Women’s Community House, Mindfulness Meditation, Brighton Recreational Centre and Bayside Support & Information Service.

Homelessness Prevention Week

3 August – 9 August 2015

As part of Homelessness Prevention week on 4 August 2015 Women’s Housing Limited was involved in a ‘sleep out’ event to help raise awareness and highlight the difficulties faced by people experiencing homelessness.   Women’s Housing Ltd was excited to be a part of this event, Lindy Parker, Operations Manager and Veronica Hunt, Housing Worker are two of the many that slept rough. Representatives from housing and support services, disability support services, youth and aged services and mental health support services attended the ‘sleep out’ organised by Peninsula Housing Network.

Farm Gate Tour

On 19 March 2015 residents of the Mt Martha Rooming House went on a Farm Gate Tour. In conjunction with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, and with the wonderful help from Paula Johnson, residents of the Mt Martha rooming house visited some Peninsula farms, meet the farmers, learned ways of food production and purchased super cheap, super fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the ground, vine or tree. Then in the spirit of “Paddock to Plate” Paula Johnson went home with the residents to assist with cooking ideas to make the most of the fresh food.

Feeding Minds Expo

On 5 May 2015 at the Richmond Town Hall, Women’s Housing Limited hosted an Expo The Mayor of the City of Yarra, Phillip Vlahogiannis opened the event. The day was filled with giveaways, workshops and information sessions. There were representatives holding stalls and guest speakers from COTA, WIRE, ERMHA, RDNS, Amy’s Grains, Turning Point, Consumer Action, Beyond Blue, DVRCV and Women’s Health. The workshops included yoga, meditation, nutritional health tips, simple exercise tips, art therapy, stress management and conflict resolution. Lunch and free hand, neck and shoulder massages were provided.   Some Comments “Enjoyed the spread of activities and information” “Loved the massage and the yoga and the food!” “I had a wonderful time. Thanks!” “Fantastic initiative. Liked the variety of topics covered” “I found it great to be able to receive advice on most of my day to day problems” “Women’s Housing Ltd have always produced great newsletters. Interesting activities and events! Thanks for going strong. All the effort is really worth it. Thank You to Volunteers” “Thankyou – wonderful space, well organised – very supportive, Very grateful to be involved. Art therapy was fantastic!”

Congratulations

Gina Poulos from Theodora’s Cheerful Givers For winning the Victoria Pride of Australia Medal 2014. Women’s Housing Limited and many of our tenants are grateful for Gina’s ongoing support.

Creative Energies

Art Display CREATIVE ENERGIES With the support of Wombat Housing and Support Services, the tenants of Women’s Housing Ltd presented a years’ worth of creative endeavour. A visual art, ceramics and photography display was held at the Bluestone Art Space in Footscray.

Homeless Persons Week 4-10 August 2014

Anywhere but a bed Homeless Persons Week is an annual themed week coordinated by Homelessness Australia to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness and the surrounding issues.A ‘sleep out’ event was held during National Homeless Persons Week to raise awareness and highlight the difficulties faced by people experiencing homelessness. More than 40 people from housing and support services, disability support services, youth and aged services and mental health support services attended a ‘sleep out’ organised by Peninsula Housing Network. Women’s Housing Ltd was excited to be a part of this event, Lindy Parker, Operations Manager and Veronica Hunt, Housing Worker were two of the many sleeping rough on Tuesday 5th August 2014. “Without affordable and secure housing it is very difficult for people to have wholesome and healthy lives, to hold down employment, to participate fully in education and to engage in community life. Housing is a basic and fundamental human right and we should never lose sight of this,” said councillor Antonella Celi.

One Billion Rising

On 14 February 2014 members of staff at Women’s Housing Limited attended the One Billion Rising event at Federation Square in Melbourne. The event is part of a global movement which uses music, dance and joy to protest and say NO to violence and exploitation experienced by 1 in 3 women around the world. For more information on the event please see link below. MR One Billion Rising Feb 14 2014