Dear Satellite supporters and friends,
As the days grow shorter and chills fill the air, we find ourselves in the midwinter season and the start of the school holidays. This season provides us with more time to spend with our community and loved ones, and time perhaps to slow down, reflect, and rug up to keep warm.
During the past month, our Satellite family welcomed two new Board members, Cath Dillon and Jeremy Summers. We are thrilled and grateful that Cath and Jeremy have joined us bringing their enthusiasm, extensive knowledge and experience across a wide range of areas.
We also observed and honoured a number of significant dates, including National Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week, Pride Month, Infant Mental Health, and Men’s Health Week 2023.
A few highlights: our wonderful Youth Coordinator, Mia Boonen, had the opportunity to host the workshop “Writing from Lived Experience” at the Willi Lit Fest on June 18th, we created a ‘5 top tips’ list to assist those young people when feeling overwhelmed; and we are running some fantastic workshops and activities for the school holidays, including the debut of our brand-new co-created T-shirt workshop: ‘One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Design it. Wear it. Share it.’.
And as June comes to a close, we are running our EOFY (End of Financial Year) appeal for 2023, aiming to support children and young people with a family member experiencing mental health challenges. We are grateful to receive any donations that support our work. As always, thank you for your support and keep an eye on our social media channels for the latest news from Satellite!
Stay connected. Be creative. Keep well.
With thanks,
Rose and the Satellite team
“Writing from Lived experience” at Willy Lit Fest
On Sunday, June 18th, our Youth Coordinator Mia hosted the workshop ‘Writing from Lived Experience ‘at the Williamstown Literary Festival.
This workshop provided a space for writers to cultivate their writing practice from a space of experience and telling stories that involve family, mental health and vulnerability.
With the guidance of Michelle Write (author of ‘My Happy Sad Mummy’), attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts in the field. Workshop participants in the room enjoyed some fantastic intergenerational conversations about lived experience, the role of writing as a processing tool, and discussion of the taboo.
Michelle spoke candidly and practically about the role of creative writing in communicating her bipolar diagnosis to her kids, and we discussed as a group how self-censoring can affect both our mental health and the quality of the art we create. As an award-winning children’s author Michelle is best known for her books that tackle sensitive, serious, and sometimes sad subjects. She is passionate about helping her readers make sense of their world, especially children whose parents or primary caregivers are experiencing mental health challenges.
EOFY Appeal 2023
We launched our new EOFY APPEAL 2023 to continue supporting children, young people & families living with mental health challenges.
Our participants and their families access every program at Satellite for FREE, thanks to our major funders the Victorian government and to the generous donations we receive from our community.
Your contribution, big or small, can make a huge difference in the lives of those in our community.
Help us to reach our target here.
5 Tips to Deal with Feeling Overwhelmed (For Teens)
When you are under a lot of pressure at school, such as getting higher grades, overcoming bullying or making new friends, you may feel overwhelmed by those emotions.
We’d like to share some practical tips to help you cope with feeling overwhelmed.
- Accept your emotions
- Engage in an activity that you enjoy
- Take a break
- Speak with someone you love
- Practice self-care
Read more on our Instagram page here.
NEW WORKSHOP At Home with Satellite: One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Design It. Wear It. Share It.
This co-created workshop uses elements of making, crafting and t-shirt design. We explore symbols and make keepsakes that help you stand for who you are and what you like! This workshop was co-created by young people for young people!
Last week to sign up for our Create & Connect Geelong Junkyard Jungle workshop!
Junkyard Jungle is an exploration of who we are – both inside and out! Using recycled materials, collage and sculpture we will bring our stories, and inner animals to life. Then, join us again for a day of reconnection and co-creation – help Satellite design cool pathways for young people to do the things they love, share the things they think about and create contributions to an awesome Zine that smashes the stigma around mental health!
Remember to check out our program calendar for more! You’ll also find it under the programs tab on our website. Sign up for programs here.
WHAT’S ON
Wednesday 28 June
Create & Connect Workshop: “Junkyard Jungle”
Ages 8 – 12 years approx.
10:00 am – 4:00pm
22 Easy Street, Collingwood
Monday 3 – Wednesday 5 July 2023
Young Leaders Camp
Ages 12 – 15 years
Urban Camp, Parkville
Naarm/Melbourne, 3052
Thursday 6 July & Friday 7 July
Create & Connect Geelong: 2-day Workshop
Ages 14 – 17 years
10:00am – 4:00pm
Bluebird Garage, 51 Carr Street, South Geelong
Monday 18 September – Wednesday 20 September 2023
Satellite Kids Camp
Camp Coolamatong, 38 Cranswick Rd, Banksia Peninsula, Gippsland.
Ages 9 – 12 primary school only
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News from our Friends!
Little Dreamers Young Carer Holiday Program
https://www.littledreamers.org.au/events/
100 Story Building School Holiday events!
https://www.100storybuilding.org.au/upcoming-events