After struggling with mental health, a Victoria woman has launched a group to help support others on their wellness and recovery journey.<\/p>\n
A society launched by Natalie Senik shows that great ideas can come from a simple concept.<\/p>\n
Like the one behind the Greater Victoria Social Gathering Place Society: Get together with people you can relate to in a comfortable setting and you\u2019ll feel better about yourself and the world around you.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have people that tell us often that we\u2019re the reason they get out of bed sometimes,\u201d Senik said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the one thing they look forward to in the week, to connect with people who understand them is so huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Senik and Laurel Draper launched the society, it started as a pilot project, and it now offers low-barrier community-based social opportunities for people in mental health recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do a monthly movie night, and monthly karaoke night, and we host annual events like our BBQ,\u201d Senik said. \u201cAnd we do workshops like art and movement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch the full story in the video below:<\/strong><\/p>\n They also hold a weekly drop in cafe at Serious Coffee in Esquimalt and at Rebel Garage in Saanich.<\/p>\n Chey Hjelt is a peer support worker with the society and says he loves being part of the group.<\/p>\n \u201cI love it, I can\u2019t believe we get paid to do it, it\u2019s great work,\u201d Hjelt said.<\/p>\n Marilyn Irwin is one of the attendees and says it\u2019s the best part of her week.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s made such a difference in my life,\u201d Irwin said. \u201cI started going about six months ago and I\u2019ve really enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n The group says it\u2019s grateful for the regular funding it receives from the Victoria Foundation and the United Way, but it\u2019s hoping to be able to do more.<\/p>\n