Angela - My involvement with Westclub group activities makes a life changing difference

Getting out and about with group activities organised by Flourish Australia’s Westclub Penrith, as part of my NDIS package, lifts my spirits and alleviates the anxiety I experience.

I pushed on with working while struggling to come to grips with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia but after eleven years of shift work, I burnt out. I was hospitalised following an emotional breakdown and experienced a lot of anger, which was out of character for me. I absolutely loved my job with the railways but the hours were too much for me on top of the mental health issues.

Once I made the difficult decision to leave my job, I felt isolated at home after being around customers all day. It wasn’t good for my state of mind, so I looked into local activities and connected with Flourish Australia’s Westclub. They offer a range of activities like walking, music groups and exercise sessions. Getting involved in so many different things has made a world of difference to how I feel about life, and making new social connections has restored my sense of balance and calm.

It’s wonderful to feel like myself again. The support I’ve received has been so encouraging that it’s helped me to rebuild the self-confidence I lost.

A recent day out with Westclub to Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) worked wonders to lift my spirits. Enjoying good company and a bit of culture helped me quickly recover from a minor bout of depression.

We started out with an uplifting morning walk to Penrith Station under blue skies and took a slow train into the city, happily chatting throughout the 70 minute journey. Our first spectacular glimpse of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, was through the windows of Circular Quay Station, where we alighted and strolled to the MCA.

I was thrilled to see an enormous mural of my favourite artist, Albert Namitjira, at the entrance. Many of the amazing art installations challenged our understanding, and as I moved closer to a photograph of a rock similar to Uluru, what appeared to be flowers turned out to be red tables, chairs and lamps, arranged in a semi-desert landscape.

Indigenous art from Australian and Canada spoke of nature and the impact of other cultures, such as an artwork about our claim to ownership of water, which belongs to the Earth, and the need to restore it to its rightful place. Intriguing to watch, was a machine, designed to run the length of a wall and squirt it with paint, which dripped down to create a captivating canvas.

We enjoyed a takeaway lunch in front of the old Customs House, then left behind the seagulls that stalked us for food, full of conversations and laughs.

I’m grateful for the support network I have including Flourish Australia making it possible for me to access the NDIS and a disability support person. It’s made a tremendous difference to my wellbeing and enjoyment of life.