In the community
caring
equipping
empowering
...hope
W I N T E R 2014
NEWSLETTER
A WORD FROM SUSAN
Two years ago we started holding an
annual movie night fundraiser as a way
to promote Southern Community Welfare
(SCW) to increase support and highlight
our services and projects to Shire residents
and beyond. We’ve been lucky enough
to have some generous sponsors come
on board and provide us with giveaways
each year, plus great volunteers to help
out on the night. The movie nights have
proven to be not only a fun night out, but
a good source of income for our service
with last year’s movie night raising just
over $4,000 for case management.
This year for our 3rd annual movie
night, we’ll be showing “The Secret Life
of Walter Mitty” at Cronulla Cinema on
Thursday August 28th. The movie takes
us on a journey through some spectacular
scenery from Iceland to Afghanistan with
beautiful cinematography that is perfect
for theatre. The movie follows the under
achieving day dreamer, Walter Mitty, as he
leaves his mundane life to take on some
real world adventure. It’s a story about
finding your inner strength and courage –
a story many of us may relate to.
Movie goers will each receive a goodie
bag, and be in the running for some
excellent giveaways. Ticket cost will be
$20 for early bird before 31st July or $25
after 1st August, with all profits from the
night going directly to our services. I hope
you can come along on Thursday night
August 28th to support SCW. Find out
more via www.trybooking.com/89584.
Susan Foyle General Manager
It
Takes
A
Village...
There is a well known African
proverb which says “It takes a village
to raise a child”. But that proverb
can equally apply to any person
in need of a caring community of
people who will walk alongside
them through difficult times.
In Zac’s case, his mum saw an ad
in the local paper and suggested he might like to get some help from Southern
Community Welfare. Since suffering a back injury, Zac’s life has taken many
twists and turns for the worse resulting in low self esteem, anxiety, self-destructive
thoughts and addictions to various medications.
Since that first contact, Zac has benefited greatly from his time with counsellors
and in particular his case manager. While the counsellor dealt with the issues
he was experiencing as a result of his bi polar, his case manager worked on
the challenges he faced on a day to day basis. When asked about his weekly
meetings with this case manager, Zac said that they ‘clicked’ straight away. “I was
comfortable and could be honest and tell (her) everything that was bugging me...It
was a slow process but each month I’d have a breakthrough and that would give
me more hope. I felt like I was making baby steps towards some type of future.”
Zac’s advice to anyone in his situation is to seek help and that you can’t easily do
it alone, especially if depression, addiction or mental illness are additional factors.
“It’s an awful place to be and you’re trapped. You can’t do it by yourself.”
His goal is to build up his self esteem and confidence so that he can return to
personal training and run his own business. When asked “How would you describe
the person you have become?” Zac laughed, “I’m pretty awesome!” - It seems to
be working!
To keep supporting people like Zac,
We need your help!
We are a non-government organisation
and we are dependent on generous
donations to continue our services and programs such as
Case Management. You can ensure the ongoing impact we
are having in our community through a financial donation.
Please visit www.scw.org.au to donate or phone 9545-0299
How do you know when your wife, girlfriend, husband, boyfriend or partner
is happy?
Ask your partner this question, “In our relationship, what are the moments
you treasure the most and what brings you happiness?” Now ask yourself,
is this answer new information I was unaware of?
Individuals who are not surprised by their loved ones answer are usually
well attached.
Attachment refers to the study of infants in relationship to their primary
caregivers. It is speculated that if childhood attachments are healthy we are
more likely to form healthy attachments in adulthood.
If adult romantic relationships are attachment relationships, then the way adult relationships “work” should be similar
to the way infant-caregiver relationships work. In other words, the same kinds of factors that facilitate exploration
in children (ie having a responsive caregiver) should facilitate exploration among adults (ie having a responsive
partner). The kinds of things that make an attachment figure “desirable” for infants (ie responsiveness, availability)
are the kinds of factors adults should find desirable in romantic partners. (Bowlby, taken from C.Fraley Uni of Illinois)
Being responsive and available to our partners will look differently in each relationship. For example, noticing our
partner has not been herself. Perhaps she has been short tempered, unorganised, looking sad and being distant. If
her partner were to respond to her with ‘strong attachment’ he may make time for them to sit and tell her what he has
been noticing and ask how he can help. A ‘poor attachment’ may see her partner taking his wife’s actions personally,
believing she is angry at him rather than seeking clarification. He may then respond in frustration or avoidance.
In most cases counselling can assist individuals to recognise poor attachments in childhood. A therapist can assist
you with identifying patterns and themes present in relationships and how you can work to change behaviours that
are not wanted.
Grace Versace - Clinical Manager
2014
FOR THE DIARY
TERM 3
SEASONS FOR GROWTH - Groups for
children experiencing grief and loss. TUESDAY
AFTERNOONS 22 JULY - 9 SEPT
SEASONS FOR GROWTH for ADULTS - Grief
and loss seminar. MONDAY 28 JULY 9:30am
-12:30pm
MOVIE FUNDRAISER - THURSDAY 28 AUG
OUT OF THE SHADOWS - Suicide Awareness
Walk - MONDAY 8 SEPT
CHILDHOOD ANXIETY WORKSHOP MONDAY 15 SEPT
COMING UP IN TERM 4...
REACH SUPPORT GROUP - For people over 18
years that have been diagnosed with Depression
or Bipolar. THURSDAY MORNINGS 16 OCT 18 DEC
CALL THE OFFICE TO BOOK OR FOR MORE
INFORMATION - 9545 0299
“SCW Core Value - HOPE”
SCW believes each individual has been created with potential and
purpose. We believe each person has the power to create positive
change, gain freedom from barriers, and find lifelong healing. We
are committed to offering hope in difficult situations when
solutions may not seem obvious.
Meet the Staff...Mary Carter
What is your position at
SCW?
Child and Adolescent Therapist
What do you love most
about your job?
I feel very fortunate to work
with some great young people
and to be someone they
can trust and talk to. I am
also working with a team of
skilled, innovative and fun
professionals. And I appreciate the close proximity to
home & flexible work hours as my husband & I visit our
grandkids interstate frequently.
Where did you do your training?
I did my Bachelor of Counselling through Tabor Bible
College and Graduate in Education through Newcastle
University.
What gets under your skin?
Private phone calls in public places.
Finish this sentence: When I have a day off, I love
to...
Read...and write books...and play with my baby
grandson.
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your
life, what would it be?
Chocolate is pretty hard to beat but I have to say it’s
definitely mangos.
CONTACT US
SOUTHERN COMMUNITY WELFARE
2-4 Tea Gardens Avenue Kirrawee NSW 2232
Phone: 02 9545 0299 Fax: 02 9521 6252
Email [email protected] Web www.scw.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
SouthernCommunityWelfare
Printed on Ecostar 100% recycled paper and is made carbon neutral